Volunteering at Guelph General Hospital
Thank you for your interest in volunteering at Guelph General Hospital (GGH). Before applying, please ensure this is a good time in your life to commit to volunteering. Due to a high volume of applications, response times may be longer than usual.
Please note that all volunteer roles are unpaid. If you are seeking paid employment, the volunteer program may not be the right fit. Current job opportunities can be found on our careers page:
👉 https://www.gghorg.ca/careers/
About the Volunteer Program
Commitment
We require a minimum one‑year commitment, as onboarding a volunteer is a detailed process and takes time.
Age Requirements
- 16+: Courtyard Boutique (Gift Shop), Inpatient Visiting, Main Lobby Greeter
- 18+: All other volunteer roles
Application Timeline
Please apply several months in advance of when you hope to start. After a successful interview, the onboarding process typically takes 6–8 weeks or longer and includes multiple health and training steps to ensure safety and preparedness.
Volunteers play an essential role at GGH and are part of a team‑based approach to enhancing the care experience for patients, families, caregivers, and staff across the hospital.
Volunteer Areas & Opportunities
Outpatient Areas
- Gift Shop (16+) - Volunteers Needed
Provide friendly customer service and create a welcoming environment.
Fixed Schedule: Mon–Thurs 10:00am-1:00pm & 1:00-4:00pm | Fri 11:00am-1:00pm & 1:00-3:00pm | Sat & Sun 12:00-3:00pm - Main Lobby Greeter (16+) - Volunteers Needed
Greet visitors, provide directions, answer questions, and escort patients.
Fixed Schedule: Mon-Sun 8:00am–12:00pm & 12:00pm-4:00pm - Greeter - Speedvale Diagnostic Imaging Centre (16+) - Volunteers Needed
Greet visitors, provide directions, and help visitors with HONK mobile for parking.
Fixed Schedule: Mon-Fri, 9:00am-12:00pm
- Administrative Roles (18+) - At Capacity
Foundation Volunteer, Bariatric Clinic Volunteer
Schedules vary
Inpatient Areas
- Ambulatory Care (18+) - Volunteers Needed
Welcome patients for their appointments, provide wayfinding, deliver patient charts to their respective areas.
Fixed Schedule: Mon-Fri, 8:00am-12:00pm
- Baby Blessings Program (18+) Additional qualifications required - At Capacity
Offer emotional support, facilitating blessings or welcoming ceremonies
Schedules vary
- Baby Snuggling (18+) - At Capacity
Hold, snuggle, sing, comfort and feed babies who are staying in the Special Care Nursery.
Schedules vary
- CT Scan (18+) - At Capacity
Welcome patients, ensure patient is prepared for appointment, visit with patients before and after scan.
Self Schedule: Mon-Fri, 12:00-2:00pm & 2:00-5:00pm
- Day Surgery (18+) - Volunteers Needed
Escort family/caregivers to patient after their procedure, restocking supplies to help patients feel supported.
Self Schedule: Mon-Fri, 8:30-11:30am, 11:30am-2:00pm & 4:30-7:30pm
- Emergency Department (Triage) (18+) - Volunteers Needed
Welcome anyone accessing the ED, provide wayfinding, offer comfort to patients and visitors waiting.
Self Schedule: Mon-Fri, 10:00am-1:00pm, 1:00-4:00pm & 4:00-7:00pm
- Geriatric Emergency Department (GeriED) (18+) - Volunteers Needed
Help to reduce the risk of delirium in older/frail patients by attending to their basic needs - hydration, nutrition, mobility, comfort and cognitive engagement.
Self Schedule: Mon-Sun, 8:00-11:00am, 11:00am-2:00pm, 2:00-5:00pm, 5:00-8:00pm & 8:00-10:00pm
- Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP) (18+) - At Capacity
Support patients through orientation, meal assistance, mobility support, therapeutic activities, and relaxation.
Fixed Schedule: Mon-Sun, 10:00am-1:00pm, 1:00-4:00pm & 4:00- 7:00pm
- ICU (18+) - Volunteer Needed
Welcome visitors and assist with wayfinding, escort visitors in to see patients, restock supplies as needed.
Self Schedule: Mon-Sun, 8:30-11:30am, 12:00-3:00pm & 4:00-7:00pm
- Inpatient Visiting Program (16+) - At Capacity
Provide companionship and emotional support to patients
Self Schedule: Mon-Sun, 9:00-11:00am, 1:00-3:00pm & 4:30-6:30pm
- On-Call Spiritual Care Providers (18+) Additional qualification required - Volunteers Needed
Provide support to patients, families/caregivers if called in, regardless of faith background, 4 on-call weeks per year required.
Schedules vary
- Pre-Operative Registration (18+) - Volunteers Needed
Welcome patients, provide directions, converse with family/caregivers while they wait.
Fixed Schedule: Mon-Fri, 8:00am-12:00pm
- See & Treat Emergency Department (SNT) (18+) - Volunteers Needed
Welcome patients, guide them to examination rooms, help them prepare for their visit.
Self Schedule: Mon-Sun, 8:00-11:00am, 11:00am-2:00pm, 2:00-5:00pm, 5:00-8:00pm & 8:00-11:00pm
Scheduling Options
- Fixed Schedule: Same shift and time each week (1 shift/week)
- Self‑Scheduled: Choose from posted shifts (1 shift/week)
Next Steps & Requirements
Once your application is submitted with two references, we will proceed with next steps. Please be patient, as processing times may vary.
All volunteers must complete the following before starting:
- Submission of an application & two written references.
- Successful phone screen and virtual interview.
- Successful completion of the Health Review Immunization Form & 2‑Step TB Skin Test
- Completion of a Police Vulnerable Sector Check (18+)
- Completion of mandatory GGH e‑Learning modules
- Meeting the qualifications of the volunteer position description.
- Completion of volunteer orientation & role‑specific training
Please read the following documents below. You do not need to sign them today; your signature will be requested at a later date.
