Vancouver Coastal Health - Vancouver

We offer volunteers the opportunity to visit with patients, residents or clients in a one to one situation in various settings. As a volunteer, you can make a difference in a person’s life by providing social interaction and quality time to brighten up their day.  

We offer volunteers the opportunity to contribute to our various Mental Health and Substance Use (MHSU) areas, ranging from the community, to acute care, to tertiary facilities. These programs provide a safe place for mental health patients and clients to receive care, while giving volunteers meaningful experience in MHSU. If you are interested in MHSU, these roles would be of interest to you.

Brief descriptions of our active programs.

AIDS Vancouver - The Corner Program Volunteer

• The Corner program (formerly called Boys ’R’ Us) is a three day a week drop-in service for male and transgender sex workers in the community. The program has multiple community partners who assist with connecting clients to programs and services through referrals
• The Corner provides a safe drop-in environment for participants to relax, eat, socialize and access community-based services
• The Corner also provides an opportunity for participants to interact with volunteers, community partners and the program coordinator for support and information on services and resources available to them across the city

Click here to submit your application 

Downtown Community Health Centre - Maximally Assisted Therapy (MAT) - Breakfast Club Program Volunteer

• The Maximally Assisted Therapy program is facilitated at the Downtown Community Health Centre (DCHC) and provides care to diverse clientele with compromised immune systems, including those infected with HIV, by supporting clients to adhere to their medication regime, and other medical and psychosocial needs
• Clients may experience a range of difficult life circumstances and may also have mental health and addiction issues that can present as challenging in social interactions, requiring patience and understanding
• The Breakfast Club is a separate area from the rest of the Downtown CHC and is a space where clients can hang out and engage with staff and other clients in a safe and supported environment

Click here to submit your application

  Downtown Community Health Centre - NEx Program Harm Reduction - Kiosk Attendant 

• Vancouver Coastal Health offers a nonjudgmental, non-coercive provision of Harm Reduction services to clients with current needle use that includes offering clean supplies, health education and referral to other services
• Needle exchange assistants assist with being the first point of contact to clients returning used needles and wishing to gain clean supplies
• Clients receive safe supplies without judgement and with care

Click here to submit your application

Downtown Community Health Centre - Womxn's Night Clinic- Activity Program Volunteer

• The Womxn’s Night Clinic Activity Leader plays a vital role in supporting women (including self-identified women) in the Downtown East Side (DTES) accessing health care in safe women only environment by providing free and confidential basic health care for women including counseling, testing, and education
• Volunteers are very much a part of the evening, welcoming and chatting with the women attending, helping run the activities, ensuring that everyone is included and has the opportunity to participate as much as they want

Click here to submit your application

Heatley Community Health Centre - Womxn's Night Clinic - Activity Program Volunteer 

• The Womxn’s Night Clinic Activity Leader plays a vital role in supporting women (including self-identified women) in the Downtown East Side (DTES) accessing health care in safe women only environment by providing free and confidential basic health care for women including counseling, testing, and education
• Volunteers are very much a part of the evening, welcoming and chatting with the women attending, helping run the activities, ensuring that everyone is included and has the opportunity to participate as much as they want

Click here to submit your application

Pender Community Health Centre - NEx Program Harm Reduction – Kiosk Attendant 

• Vancouver Coastal Health offers a nonjudgmental, non-coercive provision of Harm Reduction services to clients with current needle use that includes offering clean supplies, health education and referral to other services
• Needle exchange assistants assist with being the first point of contact to clients returning used needles and wishing to gain clean supplies
• Clients receive safe supplies without judgement and with care

Click here to submit your application

Pender Community Health Centre - Womxn's Night Clinic – Activity Program Volunteer 

• The Womxn’s Night Clinic Activity Leader plays a vital role in supporting women (including self-identified women) in the Downtown East Side (DTES) accessing health care in safe women only environment by providing free and confidential basic health care for women including counseling, testing, and education
• Volunteers are very much a part of the evening, welcoming and chatting with the women attending, helping run the activities, ensuring that everyone is included and has the opportunity to participate as much as they want

Click here to submit your application

Robert and Lily Lee Family Community Health Centre NEx Program - Harm Reduction Kiosk Attendant 

• Vancouver Coastal Health offers a nonjudgmental, non-coercive provision of Harm Reduction services to clients with current needle use that includes offering clean supplies, health education and referral to other services

• Needle exchange assistants assist with being the first point of contact to clients returning used needles and wishing to gain clean supplies
• Clients receive safe supplies without judgement and with care

Click here to submit your application

Three Bridges Community Health Centre - The Corner Program Volunteer

The Corner program (formerly called Boys ’R’ Us) is a three day a week drop-in service for male and transgender sex workers in the community. The program has multiple community partners who assist with connecting clients to programs and services through referrals

• The Corner provides a safe drop-in environment for participants to relax, eat, socialize and access community-based services
• The Corner also provides an opportunity for participants to interact with volunteers, community partners and the program coordinator for support and information on services and resources available to them across the city

Click here to submit your application

Three Bridges Community Health Centre - NEx Program Harm Reduction - Kiosk Attendant

• Vancouver Coastal Health offers a nonjudgmental, non-coercive provision of Harm Reduction services to clients with current needle use that includes offering clean supplies, health education and referral to other services
• Needle exchange assistants assist with being the first point of contact to clients returning used needles and wishing to gain clean supplies
• Clients receive safe supplies without judgement and with care

Click here to submit your application

Three Bridges Community Health Centre – SMART Recovery Program Volunteer

• The Self-Management and Recovery Training (SMART) Group Facilitator plays a vital role in supporting addictions services clients in their recovery/ reintegration into their community

• Volunteer group facilitators lead weekly meetings using SMART methods based on the concepts of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) techniques
• This role will be of particular interest to peers, and those wishing to pursue a professional degree, or career in social work, counselling or health

Click here to submit your application

We offer volunteers the opportunity to grow as leaders and mentors. Outstanding volunteers have the opportunity to work towards leadership roles. Our Volunteer Advisory Committee consists of active VCH volunteers with a passion for volunteering and improving the health care experience for all. If you are interested in leadership, these roles would be of interest to you.

Due to COVID 19, there are currently no active programs in this category. Please check back soon as our programs continue to open. 

We offer volunteers the opportunity to provide assistance in roles that are geared to enhancing the patient and public experience by applying customer service and communication skills. If you like helping many different people and developing your people skills, these roles would be of interest to you.

Brief descriptions of our active programs.

Banfield Pavilion - Garden Maintenance Program Volunteer

• Banfield Pavilion is a residential care facility home to residents who require 24-hour complex care
• Volunteers provide crucial help to maintain Banfield's gardens under the direction of the horticultural therapist

  ROLE OPERATION DAYS/TIME

• Various. Weekdays, Daytime

LOCATION

• Vancouver Westside (Near Vancouver General Hospital)

Diamond Health Care Centre - Info Desk Wayfinding Program Volunteer

• The Gordon and Leslie Diamond Health Care Centre (DHCC) brings together the outpatient care services at Vancouver General Hospital (VGH) - including specialty clinics, along with medical education, physician teaching clinics, and research - at one site
• Volunteers interact with outpatients, families, and staff in this role
• Volunteers provide information and directions to help people access the services they need

 ROLE OPERATION DAYS/TIME

• Weekdays – morning and afternoon

LOCATION

• Vancouver Westside (Near Vancouver General Hospital)

Nutrition - Shop by Phone Grocery Program Volunteer - Eastside

• This program assists home-bound seniors and disabled adults in meeting their grocery needs
• Volunteers take phone orders over the phone and shop for weekly groceries

ROLE OPERATION DAYS/TIME

• Weekly shifts Tuesday mornings

LOCATION

• Vancouver Eastside (Near Commercial Drive),

Nutrition - Shop by Phone Grocery Program Volunteer - Westside

• This program assists home-bound seniors and disabled adults in meeting their grocery needs
• Volunteers take phone orders over the phone and shop for weekly groceries

ROLE OPERATION DAYS/TIME

• Weekly shifts Tuesday and/or Wednesdays mornings

LOCATION

• Vancouver Westside

UBC Hospital - InfoWayfinding Program Volunteer

• UBC Hospital is part of the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority. Members of this health care team include physicians, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, care aides, physiotherapists, administration, technicians, and admitting
• Volunteers interact with patients, clients, residents, visitors, and staff in this role
• Visitors are helped through the information and directions provided to access the services they need

ROLE OPERATION DAYS/TIME

• Weekdays – early and late morning, early and late afternoon

LOCATION

• Vancouver UBC Hospital

UBC Hospital - Urgent Care Department Program Volunteer

• UBC Hospital is part of the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority. Members of this health care team include physicians, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, care aides, physiotherapists, administration, technicians, and admitting
• Volunteers interact with patients, clients, residents, visitors, and staff in this role
• Visitors are helped through the information and directions provided to access the services they need

  ROLE OPERATION DAYS/TIME

• 7 days a week, 8am – 2100, shifts times could be will be up to 4 hours

LOCATION

• Vancouver UBC Hospital

Vancouver General Hospital – Emergency Department Program Volunteer

• The Emergency Department of VGH provides diagnostic services, information and referral, and trauma treatment, and it can be the point of admission to the hospital for many of those who arrive there

ROLE OPERATION DAYS/TIME

• 13 hours a day, 7 days a week

LOCATION

• Vancouver General Hospital

Vancouver General Hospital - Gift Shop - Customer Service Volunteer

• The VGH Gift Shop is located in Jim Pattison Pavilion. It is a service to VGH patients, visitors and staff. Store items include merchandise that make a patient stays more comfortable and enjoyable

• The VGH Gift Shop proceeds benefit VCH patients
• The patients benefit as they are served by friendly and approachable volunteers, aiming to make their visit a positive one

ROLE OPERATION DAYS/TIME

• 7 days a week: mornings and afternoons.  Close on statutory holidays
• 1 shift per week

LOCATION

• Vancouver General Hospital

VGH GIFT SHOP - DEPOSIT RECONCILIATION VOLUNTEER

To support the VGH Gift Shop Manager with the reconciliation of sales deposit forms and completion of weekly deposits. The VGH Gift Shop improves patient, family and visitor’s experiences through the availability of comfort items and necessities such as toiletries.  The Gift Shop is also a fundraising initiative of VGH.

ROLE OPERATION DAYS/TIME

Flexible – Monday to Thursday, preferably between 10:00am – 3:30pm to facilitate deposit with Patient Accounts. 

LOCATION

• Vancouver General Hospital

VGH GIFT SHOP   E-COMMERCE VOLUNTEER

To support the VGH Gift Shop Manager in the creation and maintenance of the e-commerce site.  Working remotely and/or on VGH site, the volunteer will stage, photograph and upload pictures of inventory and/or source pictures from suppliers, write product descriptions and remove inventory as needed.  The volunteer will also assist with updates or the addition of other e-commerce site pages which may include taking pictures, writing text and blogs.

The VGH Gift Shop improves patient experiences through the availability of comfort items and necessities such as toiletries.  The e-commerce site is being developed to create new options for patients, families, staff and the community to access products on-line for delivery to patients in hospital or externally.  The Gift Shop is also a fundraising initiative of VGH.

ROLE OPERATION DAYS/TIME

• Flexible.  To be discussed with the VGH Gift Shop Manager.

LOCATION

• Vancouver General Hospital

Vancouver General Hospital - Hemodialysis Program Volunteer

• VGH Hemodialysis Program provides care for patients receiving dialysis

• Volunteers interacts with patients, Nurses and Social Workers in this role
• Volunteers provides patients with companionship and emotional support before, and after treatment

ROLE OPERATION DAYS/TIME

• Shifts run Weekdays in mornings and afternoons, Weekend in mornings only
• On-call Hemodialysis volunteers are required to complete a minimum of 2 shifts per month
• Shifts continue on statutory holidays.

LOCATION

• Vancouver General Hospital

Vancouver General Hospital - Info Desk Wayfinding Program Volunteer

• Vancouver General Hospital (VGH) is the second largest hospital in Canada and offers specialized health care services to residents in Vancouver and across the province. It can be challenging for visitors to find their way around the campus
• Volunteers interact with patients, families, visitors, and staff in this role
• Volunteers provide information and directions to help people access the services they need

ROLE OPERATION DAYS/TIME

• Weekdays – early and late morning, afternoon, evening; Weekends – late morning, afternoon

LOCATION

• Vancouver General Hospital

We offer volunteers the opportunity to volunteer in various Community Health Centres and in the hospital. These opportunities range from programs that contribute to the health and wellness of infants, children, youth, parents, and patients. If you are interested in Public Health, these roles would be of interest to you. 

Brief descriptions of our active programs.

Healthiest Babies Possible - Youth Pregnancy and Parenting Program Volunteer 

• VCH offers Healthiest Babies Possible (HBP) programs to provide nutritional counseling services and support to prenatal and postpartum women and their children

• VCH offers Youth Pregnancy and Parenting Programs (YPPP) to provide mothers under 25 years and their families the opportunity to fully engage in prenatal and postnatal programs which provide nutrition and lifestyle counseling to promote health pregnancies
• With the help of volunteers, Public Health Nurses are able to spend more time with parents/caregivers to address any health related questions or concerns

ROLE OPERATION DAYS/TIME

• Monday to Thursday, mornings and afternoons 

LOCATION

• Various Locations – Vancouver Eastside, Vancouver South Eastside

We offer volunteers the opportunity to support a variety of different rehabilitation experiences, including ambulation, group exercise, water exercise, and sub-acute physiotherapy for post-surgical patients. If you have an interest in rehabilitation, these roles would be of interest to you.

Brief descriptions of our active programs.

GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre - Speech Language Pathology - 1 to 1 Program Volunteer 

• Volunteers work under the direction of the Speech Language Pathologist to assist clients with speech impairments, especially those using augmentative or alternative communication systems, in improving their social, pragmatic and communication skills

• The goals of the outpatient SLP groups are to provide an opportunity for clients to continue to work on improving their speech once they no longer need weekly sessions with a SLP
• Clients work with volunteers to practice communication strategies, to encourage communication, to build confidence in a safe environment and to improve self-monitoring

Click here to submit your application

VGH - Cardiac Rehabilitation Program Volunteer

• The VGH Centre for Cardiovascular Health is a specialized, multi-disciplinary program providing rehabilitation and prevention services for cardiac patients and to those at risk for developing a cardiovascular condition
• Volunteers have the opportunity to interact with Cardiologists, Nurses, Exercise Specialists, Case Managers, Fitness instructors, Dietitian, Psychiatrist, Cardiac Counsellor/Social Worker
• Patients benefit from learning tools to manage their own health

Click here to submit your application

We offer volunteers the opportunity to support programs that engage patients and residents with socialization and fun activities. Social recreation programs are typically found in residential care, and some examples include preparing a ‘home style breakfast’, joining a group on a bus trip, and arts and crafts. If you are interested in engaging patients and residents in fun and playful activities, these roles may be of interest to you. 

Brief descriptions of our active programs.

GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre - Walking Program Volunteer

• GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre is British Columbia's largest rehabilitation centre, providing services in 4 unique programs:  Acquired Brain Injury, Spinal Cord Injury, Arthritis and Neuromusculoskeletal

• The objective of the Walking Program is to provide a safe and supportive community site for outpatients of GFS to continue their rehabilitation
• Supported by a Recreation Therapist, volunteers walk along side outpatients, encouraging them and providing social support
• The program is also open to inpatients who are moving closer to being discharged back to their home and volunteers assist with making the group a welcoming and safe space for these new individuals

ROLE OPERATION DAYS/TIME

• Tuesday mornings

LOCATION

• Vancouver GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre

A special event is an event which is larger, and more complex than normally held by the organization, department or unit. The best events are meticulously planned from start to finish. Flow seamlessly for our guests, while behind the scenes a lot of consideration and planning is what makes it all happen. 

Special Event Volunteers could assist with the planning, organizing and promotion of various VCH special events and activities, and they will more specifically be involved with event day logistics and operations.  Our VCH Special Events team members will play an important role in the success of our special events for the organization, departments and the units who lead them. 

We are seeking volunteers with great energy and willingness to communicate, collaborate and cooperate effectively within a team environment!

Emergencies can happen anywhere and at any time. The very nature of an emergency is unpredictable and can change in scope and impact. Being prepared and planning ahead is critical to providing ongoing healthcare services. Our Ready Response Volunteer team can be a valuable resource during these times.

The Ready Response Volunteer Team emerged as a direct result of the response effort needed to support frontline healthcare workers in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are now moving forward, building back better and developing a supporting volunteer program in advance, which will include seasonal training, as well as “Just-in-Time-Training” as required. Our aim is to develop core capabilities and competencies to serve across multiple situations to support the needs of frontline healthcare services. Ready Response Volunteers will work as directed within the scope of their training to support the logistics and operational needs as requested.

We are seeking volunteers with great energy and willingness to communicate, collaborate and cooperate effectively within a team environment!