Survivors Offering Assistance in Recovery (SOAR)

Working closely alongside the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre: Ross Tilley Burn Centre, our advocacy has brought the first SOAR training program to Ontario!

The Ross Tilley Burn Centre facilitates SOAR (Survivors Offering Assistance and Recovery) training, which is a Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors initiative. After training, the Ross Tilley Burn Centre matches trained peer supporters with a burn survivor, or loved one of a burn survivor, to provide mentorship and support. Life After Burns operates as a community coordinator for this program.

This is the link to the Phoenix Society SOAR Peer Support Training Program page on their website: https://resources.phoenix-society.org/phoenix-soar

This is the link to the Phoenix Society SOAR Peer Support Training Program information sheet: Peer Supporter Recruitment - Phoenix SOAR Information Sheet

If you are interested in becoming a SOAR trained peer supporter, please fill out the appropriate application below and send it to: ourlifeafterburns@gmail.com.

Application for Peer Supporter-Burn Survivor

Application for Peer Supporter - Support System

If you have any questions or concerns, please email ourlifeafterburns@gmail.com.

Flexible Commitment 

  • No set time requirement; involvement is based on your availability

  • Your choice of in-person or virtual meetings with your mentee

  • Optional monthly meetings for peer supporters and coordinators

Roles & Responsibilities of Peer Supporters

  • Primarily local hospital-based support, but there are options to work with burn survivors who have already left the hospital

  • Support extends beyond supporting survivors during their hospital stay, and extends to casual meetups to foster relationships

  • Engaging in shared activities designed to develop connection 

  • Engaging in conversations with an emphasis on mental health, and rebuilding survivor lives after injury

Outcomes 

  • The SOAR program enables national and international peer support connections

  • Peer support fosters mutual growth between supporters and survivors

  • The program spreads awareness about resources available for burn survivors

  • Healthcare professionals are able to recognize the role of peer support in patient rehabilitation, which strengthens the relationship between hospitals and rehabilitation centres and burn survivor organizations