Volunteers
At Western Health, we believe we have a responsibility to provide specific supplemental services throughout our community that will assist in meeting the individual, physical and emotional needs of our clients, patients and residents. We believe in the potential of people to make a difference. Our Volunteer programs are as diverse as the volunteers themselves. Consider joining a team of 1,500 volunteers who share talents and skills with patients, long term care residents, families and staff throughout our western region.
Volunteering is a great way to give back to your community. If you are looking for a feeling of accomplishment, personal satisfaction, the opportunity to meet new people and have fun, the satisfaction of knowing you made a difference, then think about Volunteering with Western Health.
See May 2020 Volunteer Newsletter here
Benefits
Volunteers often talk about the many benefits of volunteering with Western Health, such as:
- Gaining personal satisfaction from helping others.
- Feeling a sense of accomplishment.
- Providing an opportunity to give back to your community.
- Networking with other volunteers and healthcare professionals.
- Learning transferable skills.
- Participating in a variety of programs.
- Accessing educational resources.
- Enjoying new experiences and making new friends.
The Regional Volunteer Resources Department of Western Health has two volunteer programs - Junior Volunteer Program (Volunteens) and a Senior Volunteer Program.
Who can Volunteer? Age? Roles?
Our Volunteen Program is open to youth from 14 - 18 years of age. During the school year, the Volunteens assist after school. During the summer, Volunteens participate in various programs throughout the day. To become a Volunteen you must first submit a completed application form signed by a parent or guardian, providing us with two teacher references. The duties of a Volunteen consist of running errands for patients, residents and nursing staff, assisting staff on the floors as directed in the departmental orientation, refilling water jugs, watering plants and delivering flowers to our residents and patients, assisting with special programs and events, library cart service, visiting with the patients/residents, writing letters or playing games to help pass the residents and patients time pleasantly.
Our Senior Volunteer Program is for adults of all ages. Volunteers assist with various programs. Some areas that Volunteers assist us are: Gift Shop, recreation therapy, church services, meals-on-wheels, outreach programs, play therapy, flower delivery, library cart, friendly visiting, pastoral care, special events, occupational therapy, therapeutic swimming, nursing floors, shopping trips and many more. To become a Senior Volunteer, you must submit a completed application form, a certificate of conduct from the RNC or RCMP (there is no charge for this certificate), and supply us with two references.
Volunteer Application Form (PDF)
Volunteer Confidential Reference Form (PDF)
Please note that you must be able to provide a "Certificate of Good Conduct."
Once accepted as a Volunteen/Volunteer you will be required to attend an orientation session where we will review policies, procedures and information of interest to volunteers.
Volunteers are important members of our health care, bringing additional services to our residents/patients and communities.
Opportunities
Western Health is currently seeking volunteers to join our team. If you are looking for exciting opportunities to learn, engage, and gain enriching experience, we’d love to have you volunteer with us.
We have immediate openings in our gift shops for the following positions:
Financial Records: assisting with gift shop’s day-to-day financial records.
Shopping: Check stock and assist with the shopping at local stores.
Scheduling: Serve as a first contact for all volunteers that are assisting with the gift shop monthly schedules.
Displayer: Assist with the general presentation of the gift shop.
Gift Shop Manager: Assist with the day-to-day operations of the gift shop.
For more information, please contact Shelley Blackler @ 784-5211 or email: volunteerresources@westernhealth.nl.ca
For more information about joining our team, please contact the following volunteer staff/liaisons:
Bonne Bay
458-2201 ext. 228
Burgeo
886-3350 ext. 4115
Corner Brook
Regional Manager 637-5369
Corner Brook Long Term Care
637-3999 ext. 3531
Stephenville/Bay St. George
643-7497 or 646-3217
Port aux Basques
695-4532
Port Saunders
861-3139 ext. 4240