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.  

CUDDLE 1 to 1 OUTREACH Wellness Support

NOTE: Volunteer position is open to mature female applicants only.  Experience with childbirth/ parenting (personal or professionally) required.

The Vancouver Coastal Health - CUDDLE 1-1 Outreach Program is a volunteer in-home & emotional support program for new mothers who are at risk for postpartum depression.  CUDDLE stands for Caring, Understanding, Desire to help by Doing and being with, Listening, and Encouragement. 

ARE YOU....  A survivor of postpartum depression, anxiety or other perinatal mood disorder and want to provide support and hope to a mom going through a similar experience?
Have you been touched personally by this through witnessing a loved one's experience?

Accepted volunteers are matched with a parent in the community to provide the extra support that they need to help them adjust to the postpartum period.  

Home Health Outreach - 1 to 1 Wellness Support 

One to One Wellness Support volunteers provide in-home social and emotional support to adult and senior clients who are socially isolated and have limited social supports; through weekly home visits the visiting volunteer helps to support client’s independence and increase clients’ social activity.

Referrals to the program are client centered, customized to suit client’s wellness goals, and volunteers are introduced to client by supervising case manager.

Some examples of client goals include socialization to relieve loneliness and/or depression, physical wellness through walks in the neighbourhood, and making connections in their community such as accompanying client to coffee shop or other activities.

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.

The Corner Programs Volunteers

• 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

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 volunteers, staff and other clients in a safe and supported environment

Harm Reduction Programs -  Kiosk Volunteers

  Click here to submit your application

We offer volunteers the opportunity to grow as leaders and mentors. Outstanding volunteers, with over 100 hours, 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.

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.

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.

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.

Nutrition - Shop by Phone Grocery Program

This program assists home-bound seniors and disabled adults in meeting their weekly grocery needs by volunteers taking phone orders and shopping for weekly groceries at two grocery store locations in Vancouver.

UBC Hospital - Info-Wayfinding 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.

UBC Hospital - Emergency Department Program Volunteer

UBC Hospital, part of the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, is supported by a multidisciplinary team that includes physicians, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, care aides, physiotherapists, administrative staff, technicians, and admitting personnel. The Emergency Department provides diagnostic services, treatment, information, and referrals, and can also serve as a point of admission for some patients. Volunteers in this setting assist patients, clients, residents, visitors, and staff, offering support such as guidance and directions to help visitors access the services they need.

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. 

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.

Vancouver General Hospital - 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.

Vancouver General Hospital - 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.

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

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

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. 

Child Immunization Clinics

VCH offers Child Immunization Clinics at six Community Health Centres (CHC) locations by appointment to parents/caregivers to update their infant’s immunizations and meet with a Public Health Nurse.

Volunteers work with the CHC Program Assistants and Public Health Nurses. With the help of volunteers, Public Health Nurses can spend more time with parents/caregivers to address any health-related questions or concern.

Healthiest Babies Possible - Youth Pregnancy and Parenting Program (YPPP) Volunteer: Kitchen Assistant

NOTE: position open to female applicants only

VCH offers Healthiest Babies Possible (HBP) programs to provide nutritional counseling services and support to prenatal and postpartum women and their children. Provides 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 can spend more time with parents/caregivers to address any of their health-related questions or concerns.

Healthiest Babies Possible & Youth Pregnancy and Parenting Program Volunteer: Fruit and Veggie Donations Program

The Fruit and Veggie Donations Program provides fresh produce donations to all eligible Healthiest Babies Possible (HBP) and Youth Pregnancy and Parenting Program (YPPP) clients who would benefit from food supplements. This program aims to reduce barriers for access to healthy foods.

Volunteers assist staff with room set up and clean up, check clients in upon arrival and distribute fresh produce donations to clients.

Vancouver School Immunization Clinics – SEASONAL Activity

Volunteers work with public health nurses to assist in the operation and flow of immunization clinics that are scheduled in Vancouver elementary and high schools. 

Volunteers assist in line control, supervision of students before and after their immunizations as well as assisting with the front of line flow and report to the lead Public Health Nurse.

With volunteer support, the immunization team can provide the very best immunization experience for the students.

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.

• Adanac Park Lodge (APL) is a long-term care home to residents who require 24-hour complex care, primarily related to brain injury and/or mental health and/or additions.
• Off-site activities and events provide opportunities for residents to relax and socialize in a casual and friendly atmosphere.
• Volunteers support staff by encouraging resident participation and assisting with short outdoor walks and recreational activities in nearby parks.

• Adanac Park Lodge (APL) is a long-term care home to residents aged 19 and older who require 24-hour complex care, primarily related to brain injury, mental health, and/or substance use disorders.
• Volunteers support staff by engaging residents in outdoor walks, indoor social activities, and assisting with the operation of the General Store.

• Adanac Park Lodge (APL) is a Long-term care home to residents who require 24-hour complex care, primarily related to brain injury and/or mental health and/or additions.
• On-site activities and events provide opportunities for residents to relax and socialize in a casual and friendly atmosphere.
• Volunteers support staff by encouraging resident participation and assisting with on-site social and recreational activities.

• Oak Care Centre (OCC) was built for people with complex medical and physical conditions.
• The swimmers are made up of OCC residents, and clients from the community that may self refer or be referred through a service provider.
• OCC Aquatics programs encourage residents and clients to be independent and confident in the water, provide time for swimming skill development, relaxation techniques, and recreational activities.
• Volunteers work with residents and clients on a one-to-one basis, assist with enhancing swimming skills, and encourage them to enjoy the aquatic environment.

• Oak Care Centre (OCC) was built for residents with complex medical and physical conditions.
• The objective of community outings is to enhance quality of life through enjoyment of a variety of community leisure and educational opportunities.
• Volunteers will participate in a wide range of activities in various settings, either one to one or with groups of residents.

• Oak Care Centre (OCC) was built for people with complex medical and physical conditions.
• On-site activities and events provide opportunities for clients to engage and socialize in a casual and friendly atmosphere.
• Volunteers assist Recreation Therapy staff in program delivery and socialize with the clients.

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. 

Programs: