Improving the lives of people in pain
Pain Support and Wellness Groups
Pain BC launched its newest support program in October of 2019. Pain Support and Wellness Groups offer an opportunity for people living with chronic pain to meet regularly in-person and build a community of support while learning about pain, pain management and coping strategies. Groups meet twice a month, allowing people in pain to connect with one another, share their experiences, discuss self-management skills and take part in gentle movements as a group. Groups are led by trained volunteer facilitators who live with pain themselves and have a passion for supporting their peers. www.painbc.ca/supportgroups
The groups launched in 11 communities throughout the province thanks to funding from ICBC’s community grants program and the Lohn Foundation.
Group Locations:
Chilliwack
Fort St. John
Kelowna
Maple Ridge
New Westminster
Salmon Arm
Quesnel
Trail
Vancouver
Vernon
Victoria
I think this program is such a great support. It’s just nice to know people can relate with what you are going through.
Wow, I attended my first support group today. I am not alone; I am not weird. Kindness, support, and caring people will be guiding this group. If anyone is in doubt about coming, try it – you will like it.
Pain Support Line
The Pain Support Line offers a safe space for people to talk about pain and its impacts, find information on Pain BC’s and other community resources, and get help with navigating the health care system. The Pain Support Line is staffed by highly trained volunteers on weekdays from 9:00AM to 4:00PM, excluding statutory holidays. Funding for this program is provided by the Government of B.C. www.painbc.ca/supportline
For the longest time, I needed help [but] I wasn’t sure if it was available. [The Pain Support Line] gave me the motivation to say, ‘you needed the help, you should go ask for it.’
It was just like chatting to a friend. [The Pain Support Line volunteer] listened to my story and gave me resources. It was great.
Coaching for Health
Coaching for Health is a free telephone coaching program designed to help people living with pain learn self-management skills, regain function and improve their well-being. The program is accessed through a referral from any licensed medical professional, including primary care providers, physiotherapists, clinical counsellors and more. Coaches call clients once a week for up to 12 weeks and provide support and mentorship to help clients meet their health goals and make meaningful changes in their lives. Funding for this program is provided by the Government of B.C. www.painbc.ca/coaching
221 clients
referred to Coaching for Health
I never imagined that Coaching for Health could be so helpful. Working with the coach helped me overcome the fear of trying new things.
Social media
Pain BC’s social media channels keep followers updated on pain-related news, research, resources, events and opportunities and provide a safe space for people with pain to connect and share their experiences. We also harness these dynamic platforms to foster relationships with partners from across Canada and around the world in order to amplify shared messages and champion relevant opportunities.
- 7,855 followers at the end of 2019
- 7,975 total page likes at the end of 2019
- 325 posts
- 623,059 collective post views
- 44,185 collective post engagements
- 5,071 followers at the end of 2019
- 683 tweets
- 879,154 collective tweet views
- 10,112 collective tweet engagements
I first found Pain BC through its Facebook page and that’s still the main way I connect with [the organization]. It was so friendly there and I felt like part of the community right away. Someone from Pain BC always replies to my messages right away and other people in the group are always so quick to offer support. It might seem like a small thing, but that Facebook group is now a really important part of my life.
Pain Waves podcast
Pain BC’s Pain Waves podcast provides listeners with opportunities to hear leading chronic pain experts and people in pain discuss the latest pain management research, stories, tools and trends. Our monthly episodes cover a diverse range of relevant topics that meet the evolving needs and interests of our community. Funding for this podcast is provided by the Government of B.C.
9
new podcast episodes
7389
collective listens and downloads
Volunteers
Volunteers are the backbone of Pain BC’s work. They invest their time, energy and experience in all aspects of our work including facilitating Pain Support and Wellness Groups, answering calls at the Pain Support Line, providing support through our Coaching for Health program, advising on educational initiatives, and leading Pain BC’s organizational governance. We are deeply grateful for the commitment of our many dedicated volunteers.
291
Total Pain BC volunteers
4243
Total volunteer hours contributed
126
Support Services volunteers
13
Board members
13
Volunteer clinical faculty members
105
Working Group volunteers representing organizational partnerships
I feel like I have learned more from Pain BC than I have even from some of my health care providers. I feel like I have grown a lot as a person because of volunteering. It’s a really great environment and I get to learn from the other volunteers [and] all our supervisors. I am learning constantly