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What are Support Circles?

In-Person Circles Postponed, Online Circles Running

Due to the ongoing Covid-19 situation, we are cancelling in-person Circles until further notice, for the health/safety of our families. Online Circles will continue as usual on Zoom. We will keep you informed of any further changes. Feel free to contact us at office@parentsupportbc.ca if you have any questions. Stay safe!

Support Circles are free, anonymous, confidential self-help groups offering weekly or bi-weekly meetings and other activities organized by trained volunteer facilitators. Support Circles help parents, grandparents and others raising a family member’s child to learn positive parenting by providing them with a safe atmosphere in which to share their stories and stresses, learn new skills, receive emotional support and discover services and resources. The Circles strengthen the first link in a chain that connects positive caregiving with healthy children and help healthy families build strong communities. 

What are Support Circles?

Testimonials

Testimonials From Parent Support Circle Participants and Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Support Group Participants

"A place where I can relax and talk about everything I want to and not feel afraid to be judged."
"I can talk about the daily lives of kids because it’s confidential. The Circle is good for learning a lot of how to take care of children."
"We really love our group facilitators. They are wise, kind, caring, convey genuine warmth. They help to be our aunt/older sister + share their knowledge + experience. We really appreciate that."
"New outlook from experienced facilitator; things they say make sense; people listen, it’s real, you share."
"Enthusiastic + knowledgeable/supportive facilitators - wonderful!"
"I am so glad I made it into this circle and can see how/why the 2 facilitators have stayed aboard for so long. They are fantastic and I have so much applause for them."
"Friendly, caring, kind, supportive – a source of information at many levels of need."
"The facilitators are outstanding! When I get my life under control, I'll probably volunteer with this program."
"I deeply appreciate the support from the facilitators, and the people I don't see who have been volunteering their time for this program. I don't have any family in Canada, so I found it very helpful to have a place I can regularly go for support."
"I am grateful to know that such a group exists so close to me and grateful to feel less isolated as a GRG."
"Helped me with listening and learning from others."
"It is good and informative."
"Helped me to understand my grandchild."
"A Lifeline."
"Thank you so much for the picnic you put on. I enjoyed the picnic so much! My grandchildren did too! Such a lovely day and memory. So much effort was put in by so many, I don't know how to thank you properly."
“The training was a very safe and caring environment; everyone was seen and heard.”
“This training built on my personal experience by reassuring and validating my approach to interpersonal relations.”
“The trainers created a very welcoming and inclusive space, encouraged discussion, were very knowledgeable and shared experiences.”
“It was a good learning experience to know and practise how to actually facilitate a group.”
"I definitely find this registry of programs, resources and services for parents in the community extremely helpful--you need to know that your work is valued, appreciated and shared."
“The Village is my parenting bible. I wait for it monthly and give it to my clients, friends, and service providers and of course parents. It advertises all the services that matter to parents, grandparents and caregivers.”
"I would like to take the time to thank you very much for the articles you are sending. They are very informative and helpful. I do pass these articles to the rest of the staff at WorkBC."
"It has given me a place to talk about what’s going on in my life pertaining to being a parent. My frustrations, anxiety, guilt + sometimes joy."
"I can talk about the daily lives of kids because it’s confidential. The Circle is good for learning a lot of how to take care of children."
"I can apply each meeting’s details to my situation with optimism."
"It is good that we can always share different information."
"A great place for understanding how to parent and relieve the stress of parenting."
"Supplied wide range of ideas/experiences to balance perspective."
"Helped me with listening and learning from others."
"It's a loving circle of many interesting parents. Parents there can exchange their ideas and experiences freely."
"This group can help new immigrants with parenting issues such as the appropriate ways to direct children and the parenting skills in western culture."
"I've learned to be more patient with my kids since I started to go to the circle."
"A place where I can relax and talk about everything I want to and not feel afraid to be judged."
"I'm opening up and I can say that my 5 year old daughter knows that there is healing and people care."
"I'm a lot less afraid I am being a bad parent because I know other people are going through the exact same thing."
"A very memorable experience because I learned child disciplining techniques and effective ways of adjusting more quickly to Canadian Culture."
"I don't feel so alone. I have someone (ie the group) to vent frustrations, get validation, and get insight into what is taking place in our home."
"This group has been the most wonderful means of support to me as a mom with frustrations and the bonds developed are very strong and meaningful."
"I've been given SO much by the group. I hope to one day give back by being a volunteer facilitator when my kids are grown."
"I don't feel as alone. I'm not the only one [who] finds this job difficult, and wants to talk about it. This decreases my frustration caused by isolation."
“I like the educational aspect and appreciate learning how to be a better parent.”

FAQ

How do I join?

During the COVID 19 Health Crisis – we are offering Online Support Circles, at different times of the day. To find out more, visit our regional pages, call our toll free number 1-877-345-9777, or click here. You can directly access our registration form here, and we will be in touch.

Please be aware that the Support Circle service is not a drop-in program and we do not advertise exact locations or links of Circles for safety and privacy reasons. You will need to call the local PSS phone number for your region or the referral number of a partner agency in your community in order to be referred to a Circle. Registration to the Circle is very important before you attend. You will be given all the information you need to take the next step in joining a group.

What will happen when I call about a Support Circle?

When you call (or, when you are contacted after filling out our form), you will speak with a staff member of Parent Support Services. Whomever you talk to will ask for some basic information and a convenient time for a facilitator to contact you. We usually ask if we can leave a message in your voicemail if needed. To protect your privacy, you can say no to this.

You will then be referred to a Circle facilitator. They will call you within 72 hours to tell you more about the program and the specific group and ask for some more info. The two of you may arrange to meet and talk further before the next meeting, or you may simply be invited to the next meeting.

The most important thing you need to know is that the person on the other end of the phone will appreciate the courage it has taken for you to pick up the phone and say, “I think I need help.”

What will happen when I attend a Support Circle?

All Support Circles follow a similar plan but the details for each meeting vary from one Circle to another. Many Circles open with each parent or kinship caregiver saying how they are and how their week with their children has been. Participants discuss parenting concerns in the supportive setting provided. One of the most important things about Support Circles is that they respond to the needs expressed by the people who attend them.

What else do I need to know about parenting support circles?

In some communities, Circles operate in various languages. There are also Support Circles for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (Kinship Caregivers).

Parent Support Services Society of BC ensures that anyone parenting or caring for children and teens will be comfortable joining a Support Circle.

When Circles are running in-person, Parent Support Services is able to provide childcare in most locations and/or a small subsidy to pay for childcare and transportation, if needed. Our objective is to remove the obstacles that might prevent someone from attending a Support Circle.

I’m a Grandparent or other Kinship Caregiver. Are there Support Circles for me?

There are Support Circles specifically for those who are raising their friends or relatives’ children (Kinship Caregivers or Grandparents Raising Grandchildren). Please contact our Kinship Care Help Line, which can give you more information and refer you to a Kinship Care Support Circle.

Regional Circles

Regional Service

Click on your region to see what support circles are offered in your area. We also offer language-specific support circles by region. 

Lower Mainland/Fraser Valley

Interior BC

Prince George/Northern BC

Vancouver Island

Provincial Circles

Province Wide Service

Our Provincial wide virtual Support circles are co-facilitated Zoom sessions. These Support Circles are here to provide a safe and confidential space for Parents and GRG/Kinship Caregivers, to share the challenges, concerns, questions and offer the support you need during COVID-19

Click here for a flyer with our Provincial Circles

General Parenting Support Circles

Mondays • 9:00pm • via Zoom
Tuesdays • 7:00pm • via Zoom
Wednesday • 7:30pm • via Zoom
Thursdays • 10:00am • via Zoom
Thursdays • 7:00pm • via Zoom

For Fathers or Those in Fathering roles
Wednesdays •  7:30pm • via Zoom 

For Single Parents
Fridays •  8:30pm • via Zoom 

For Parents Raising Teens (13+)
Thursdays • 7:30pm • via Zoom 

For Parenting Anxiety/Depression (13+)
Sundays • 7:30pm • via Zoom 

For Parenting Children W/ADHD
Wednesdays • 7:00pm • via Zoom 

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (Kinship Care) Support Circles 
Mondays •  10:00am • via Zoom 
Tuesdays •  7:30pm • via Zoom 
Thursdays •  10:00am • via Zoom 

To register for any provincial Circle:
Registration Form
1-877-345-9777 (Toll-Free) ext. 100
office@parentsupportbc.ca

If there is no Circle in your area, contact our Provincial Program Director:
604-669-1616 ext.105 
bella_cenezero@parentsupportbc.ca

Language Specific Circles

Spanish Circle
Mondays • 7:00pm • via Zoom
Fridays • 12:00pm • In-Person (NEW)

Korean Circle
Mondays • 8:00pm • via Zoom

Mandarin Circle
Thursdays • 10:00am • via Zoom

Cantonese Circle
Fridays • 7:00pm • via Zoom

Filipino Circle
Saturday • 1:00pm • via Zoom

GRG/Kinship Facebook group

Province Wide Service

The GRG/Kinship Support BC Facebook group provides a larger opportunity for connection, and sharing of resources and information.  Grandparents raising grandchildren and other kinship caregivers in BC can join using the link below. This is a private group for kinship caregivers only.

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