What is a Companion? Companions are the people who lead Seasons for Growth groups. The role is not that of a teacher or therapist, but as a guide who leads and accompanies participants through the Seasons for Growth programme. An effective Companion is someone who:
Can listen effectively
Can relate well to the age group s/he is companioning
Is able to deal with their own feelings around loss
Is able to facilitate discussion
Has a sense of humour
Can communicate well
Has knowledge of child protection procedures and has been police checked
Who can be a Companion? A Companion can be a teacher, psychologist, nurse, counsellor, chaplain, social worker, or someone who feels they would like to offer the program to their community. To become a Companion for our Young People program you will need a background check.
Do Companions Need Training? Yes! Companions must undertake a 2 day Training course in order to run a program. They learn the theory and principles behind the program, the skills and techniques necessary to implement it, and become fully aware of the possibilities and limitations of their role.
Fill out the volunteer form when you're interested in becoming a companion or contact Diana Donker (phone 022 083 5478 or email [email protected])
What children say about the program: “I’ve learned that bad things won’t last forever” 8 year old boy “I can make choices and decisions” 11 year old girl “I learned how to cope with feelings and not to bottle my anger up” 12 year old boy “I can feel sad. Every feeling I have is normal” 10 year old girl