Pain Support and Wellness Groups are free but they require registration. To register for a group, simply click the “Register now” button for the group you would like to attend. The link will take you to a registration page, where you can select which meeting(s) you would like to attend for the region you have selected. After registering, you will receive an email confirmation with a link to join the group by Zoom from your computer, smartphone or tablet, or by calling in from your telephone.

At the scheduled group start time, simply click on the link or dial the phone number provided in your registration email. To access an online meeting by computer, smartphone or tablet, you have the option to connect via the free Zoom videoconferencing app or directly through your web browser. We recommend downloading the app because the web browser version has limited functionality. If you choose to connect via web browser, we recommend using the Chrome browser. More information about getting started with Zoom is available here.

To access an online meeting by phone, simply dial the phone number and, when prompted, enter the meeting ID provided in the registration confirmation email a few minutes before the meeting start time.

Please note: The username you choose when registering with Zoom will be visible to all other members in attendance. If you wish to remain anonymous, choose a username that does not include your real name.

Pain Support and Wellness Groups are intentionally kept small – with up to 15 participants for each meeting – so that everyone can have a chance to share and feel supported and heard.

Group facilitators are peers – people who have lived experience with pain. Trained peer facilitators ensure every member is respected and heard. Active participation is voluntary; there is no pressure to share and speak – listening participation is very welcome. The online meeting will open 10 minutes before the scheduled start of the session and the meeting will start on time. To maximize your time at the meeting and minimize disruptions for group members, please log in before the scheduled start time. The duration of the meeting will be 120 minutes, including a short break.

We co-create the group together following a suggested group meeting structure:

1. Welcome, facilitator introductions, Pain BC and Pain Support and Wellness Group introductions
2. Participant introductions and brief check-in
3. Presentation of educational materials on selected topic
4. Group discussion and sharing on the topic
5. Discussion wrap-up
6. Mindful relaxation and closing

Because space is limited, we respectfully request that participants attend all sessions for which they register. If you need to cancel a reserved spot, please email supportgroups@painbc.ca with as much advance notice as possible so that the place can be made available to someone on the waitlist.

Once registration for a meeting session has reached capacity, all new registrants will be placed on the waitlist. We will offer any newly available group session spots to people on the waitlist in the order they joined the list.

We offer regional Pain Support and Wellness Groups to allow participants to form networks with people in their local communities, but all groups provide an equal opportunity for people in pain to connect, learn about pain management and share coping strategies.

You are welcome to register for a group outside of your region if the date and time work better for you, if there is no group available for your region, if the group you planned to attend is full, or if you prefer to join another group.