What it is.
True North Peer Navigation is a navigation program that puts experienced patient and caregiver survivors in touch with people looking for support through the prostate cancer journey.
- You’ve been through it already – your knowledge and experience can help others.
- Get trained on how to be a Caregiver Peer Navigator from professionals, and they’ll be there to support you along the way.
- Guide others to navigate the healthcare system and prepare them on what to expect.
- Be there to share your “lessons learned” in dealing with the effects of prostate cancer.
Hear from a Peer Navigator
Why trust it.
True North Peer Navigation was designed and developed by a multi-disciplinary team of scientists and health care professionals in collaboration with men with prostate cancer and their families. It is based on evidence and real experiences.
True North Peer Navigation Provincial Leads
Peer Navigator Testimonials
“The program has been so informative for me that within a week or two, you feel this tremendous confidence.”
“It’s been very gratifying for me for the couple of people I’ve had. It’s not easy to get that gratification for a lot of things you do. You feel good doing something for somebody.”
“As the leader of a group, of our group, I’ve gotten several individuals who contact me and, one thing that I have to say is that the training I received is superb with respect to how I was able to handle the individuals who did call me, call me because they wanted to help.”
Who we’re looking for.
True North Peer Navigation seeks to provide peer navigation services to both men and their partners/caregivers – together or separately.
Experienced patient survivors will be trained to become Peer Navigators for men who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer, while experienced caregivers will be trained to become Peer Navigators for patient family members.
Caregiver Peer Navigators are individuals who have previously provided support to a man with prostate cancer and wish to act as mentors to people looking for support through the prostate cancer journey.
TO BECOME A CAREGIVER PEER NAVIGATOR, YOU MUST:
- Have acted as a caregiver – even informally – to a man with prostate cancer.
- Be open to providing mentorship to other women or men, in-person, over the phone, or online.
- Act as a bridge between health professionals and patients by knowing who to contact when issues arise.
- Be comfortable in using an online platform to log interactions with the peers that you mentor.
Hear from a Peer Navigator couple
How to get involved.
True North Peer Navigation is expanding and is currently looking for Caregiver Peer Navigators in Ontario, British Columbia, and Nova Scotia.
THIS IS WHAT YOU DO:
- First, you need to Apply to be a Caregiver Peer Navigator. Your application will be reviewed by the True North Peer Navigation team and you may be asked to participate in an interview.
- If selected by the program, you will be asked to participate in an online Peer Navigator training program.
- Once your training is complete, you’ll be asked to provide one-on-one support to prostate cancer caregivers.
- You will receive support in your role from healthcare professionals and other Peer Navigators.
- You will be asked to participate in program evaluations to help improve the program.
Hear from a Peer Navigator
Who's behind it.
This work was awarded by Prostate Cancer Canada and is proudly funded by the Movember Foundation and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.
