For peer support group leaders

Are you a mother of a teenager who could support other mothers in the same situation?

You’re warmly welcome to join our training to become a Kamalat äidit® peer-support group leader! (Please scroll down to the end of the page for the timetables and registration for the Spring 2025 on-line training, starting 10 March 2025)

Each group is led by two volunteer peer-support group leaders, who have received the training for the Kamalat äidit model organized by the Finnish YWCA.

In our on line training, you’ll get to know our group model and other activities, how to lead groups and the themes discussed in the groups.  The peer-support group leaders get access to Kamalat äidit® material bank as well as support from the coordinators to set up and during the group.

We also organise national and regional events and further training for the peer-support group leaders. The aim is to provide an opportunity to exchange ideas and thoughts, to support volunteers’ well-being and to provide them with information on current topics. The peer-support group leaders also have access to supervision.

Our group model

In a Kamalat äidit® group, both the participants and the volunteers have the opportunity to learn something new. Our goal is equal discussion and group process. In the groups, participants discuss daily life challenges such as curfews, use of money, intoxicants and addictions. The coping and well-being of the mothers is also important in the groups. We encourage active listening in the groups, for the leaders and participants to understand each others as fully as possible. Reflecting, tolerating uncertainty, acknowledging emotions and moving forward with them are good elements in any group leading process.

Could you become a peer-support group leader?

The peer-support group leaders are not required to have any particular educational background or special expertise. However, we expect you to be a mother or a bonus mother of a teenager/-s. Alternatively, you could for example work with adolescents or their families.

Important things to consider:

Motivation – the desire to support others, learn new things and develop themselves.

Values– equality, women’s rights and status, respect and acknowledgement for people’s individuality and differences.  

Balanced life situation– good possibilities to support others and to commit to regular group leading.

Suitable personality to be a group leader – reliable, inspiring, cooperative, able to use your own initiative and empathetic.

Advantages – You have your own experience of participating in any peer-support group. – You have previous experience in leading a peer-support group. – Your educational background, other specific skills.

Setting up a group – supported by a local partner, such as a YWCA local association, parish, municipality or other NQO.

The peer support groups are led with ”ordinary” people skills!

Would you like to become a volunteer peer-support group leader and start a Kamalat äidit ® group in your locality?

Ask for more information and join us in rewarding and empowering activities!

• The Kamalat äidit groups meet in many different places all around Finland and new groups are started all the time. For more information about the groups, you can ask us via email: kamalataidit@ywca.fi
• If there isn’t any Kamalat äidit group in your city, you can join the training and start a group yourself! Contact us at: kamalataidit@ywca.fi
• Follow us and share with others on social media on our Facebook page.

About the training:

The Terrible Mothers group leaders’ orientation will prepare you to lead a peer group for mothers of teenagers or to take on other Terrible Mothers’ volunteer roles.

In the beginning, you can have a short introductory chat (in Teams) with the Terrible Mothers coordinator. During this conversation, you will learn more about the training, about us and we will get to know you a little better – you can also ask if you have questions about the training or the group model. Howspace training involves independent, self-paced study of the on line material and exercises. In addition, there is one joint, time-bound, online distance learning session.

At the end of the training, a final discussion is held with each of the instructors involved to discuss concrete topics such as how to start the peer support group, where to find the space, how to market the group etc.

Howspace is a collaborative virtual environment that is simple and safe to use. We will guide and help you to use Howspace.

Terrible Mothers group leaders’ trainings in English

If you are a mother of a teenager and would like to be a peer support group leader, you are warmly welcome to join the Terrible Mothers group leaders’ training!

Spring 2025: 10 March – 7 April

Howspace opens on 10 March. Online lecture on 17 March at 5 – 8 pm: Getting to know our group model, starting a group, facilitating a group. Independent study 10 March – 7 April. Howspace closes 7 April, scheduling the final discussion (in Teams, ca 30 mins).

Please register via this link: https://link.webropol.com/s/spring2025groupleadertraining

For more information on orientation, you can also contact the Terrible Mothers’ coordinators:
Anna Helin-Valtonen, anna.helin-valtonen@ywca.fi / 040 411 5967
Riikka Koola, riikka.koola@ywca.fi / 040 821 7894