Training peer support workers at the Knights Inn, run by the Prince George Native Friendship Centre (PGNFC), is currently underway.
It’s early days yet but there are three people who have already come forward to learn how to help their fellow residents of the 44 units available for those transitioning from homelessness to housed members of the Prince George community.
“This is absolutely amazing, whenever we can get peers who are excited about working alongside peers to keep each other safe in my mind there is no stronger or more powerful way to providing those supports than that,” Barb Ward-Burkitt, executive director of PGNFC, said.
“With this particular process our hopes are that eventually to have up to six peer supports at the Inn.”
In partnership with BC Housing, the Prince George Native Friendship Centre, an experienced housing operator, runs the Knights Inn, which offers 24-hour, seven day a week support to residents using a trauma-informed approach including daily meals and health and wellness support services.
The policy of the local Native Friendship Centre is to be respectful of those who are sheltered at their facilities.
“We think it is really, really important that we not use phrases like ‘those people’ or ‘homeless people’ because we want to humanize the individuals,” Ward-Burkitt said. “We refer to those in housing facilities as guests.”
The PGNFC is using the peer support program offered by UNDO and after completion the organization will provide NARCAN kits used to keep people safe at a discounted rate.
Training includes instruction on how to use Naloxone and how to administer it properly, how to assess that type of situation, and know when is it OK to administer multiple doses, Ward-Burkitt explained.
“We have our staff who have undergone similar training who have administered up to eight injections of Naloxone to make people come back so really it is important to know how to assess that - being aware of the timing between injections - assessing your surroundings so you are not in an unsafe place, knowing when to call 9-1-1 - all of those different safety factors are part of that particular training,” Ward-Burkitt said. “The individuals participating in the training will get a certificate of completion along with a sign for their door that says ‘NARCAN kits available here’ so those individuals who are using at the Inn can then reach out to those individuals they feel most comfortable with because - you know contrary to popular belief - the guests who have been in different locations in Prince George - whether at the encampment or on the street - they are family and they know each other and being able to go to that peer - even if it’s at 3 o’clock in the morning and knowing that they don’t have to explain themselves - we’re really looking forward to that.”
So the peers who will offer support have the life-saving kits, the knowledge to make assessments should things go wrong, and are able to distribute the kits as well. For their trouble, peer support workers will be provided a stipend, offering a bit of independence, Ward-Burkitt added.
“Some of those who become peer supporters may feel like it’s an opportunity to turn their lives around, as well,” Ward-Burkitt noted. “We think this is going to be so powerful to have those kinds of supports in place.”
There are two staff members on site but with 44 units Ward-Burkitt said it’s not possible for them to always stay on top of everything going on round the clock and this help will be most welcome.
“So having these peer supports that know each other as guests, know each other as family, will have an idea of when people are using, what they’re using - all those facts that our guests might not share with our staff. This type of program is very important to have at the Inn.”
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