Special Projects - Family Caregivers of British Columbia

The Family Caregivers of British Columbia, Canada has sponsored the Intensive Journal program since 2018. Volunteer family caregivers are invited to participate in the workshops.

The program is now held online and caregivers from throughout British Columbia are able to participate. The workshops are led by our certified leader William (Bill) Israel who resides in Victoria, BC.

Ms. Lycia M. Rodrigues, Caregiver Support Manager for the Family Caregivers of British Columbia, endorses the Intensive Journal program, and stated that

"the IJ [Intensive Journal] program has proven to be an effective group process for providing innovative peer-support to a highly stressed caregiver population."

Caregivers often find themselves dealing with a great deal of stress and anxiety. Since they work alone, caregivers often express feelings of loneliness and isolation. The Intensive Journal program can help caregivers overcome these feelings.

A complete copy of Ms Rodrigues's endorsement follows:

...

I am happy to provide an endorsement of the INTENSIVE JOURNAL (IJ) writing program. Since the fall of 2018, the program has been utilized with a large and growing number of volunteer family caregivers across the Province of BC.

As a part of our Province-wide resource network at Family Caregivers of British Columbia (FCBC), supporting hundreds of family caregivers, the Intensive Journal program has proven to be an effective group process for providing innovative peer-support to a highly stressed caregiver population.

The Intensive Journal workshop modules are facilitated locally and professionally by a certified Facilitator/Consultant, under the auspices of Dialogue House in Twinsburg, Ohio USA.

The on-line ZOOM platform has been an effective method of delivering the Intensive Journal writing program on a weekly basis. Pre-registered groups for as many as 15 or 20 registered participants gather weekly.

The caregiving role is a socially and spiritually isolating responsibility.

The structured and meditative Journal Workbook exercises enable participants to write privately. They can also, voluntarily, speak intimately of the challenges they face as family caregivers. The participants are openly appreciative of the opportunity to be with caregiving peers. These are compassionate individuals who find solace and respite in sharing the segregating effects of loneliness, anxiety, and spiritual challenges of their caregiving for loved ones.

Lycia M. Rodrigues (she/her)
Caregiver Support Manager