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Hello, thank you for your interest in volunteering with one of our Vancouver acute care, long term care, or community volunteer programs. Most of our programs operate during regular business hours – Mon to Fri. We have limited evening and weekend program opportunities available.
Each year we receive hundreds of applications. We look for applicants who would be the best fit for our programs and also a program that is the best fit for the volunteer.
Please check out the VCH I am the Patient Experience video. It captures the important message that every role on the continuum of care has an impact on experience. Yes...as a volunteer, you are the patient experience!
If you would like to be in touch with us please email VANVolunteer@vch.ca
Thank you again for your interest and support.
The VCH Vancouver Volunteer Resources Team
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.
AIDS Vancouver - The Corner Program Volunteer
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Downtown Community Health Centre - Maximally Assisted Therapy (MAT) - Breakfast Club Program Volunteer
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Downtown Community Health Centre - NEx Program Harm Reduction - Kiosk Attendant
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Downtown Community Health Centre - Womxn's Night Clinic- Activity Program Volunteer
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Heatley Community Health Centre - Womxn's Night Clinic - Activity Program Volunteer
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Pender Community Health Centre - NEx Program Harm Reduction – Kiosk Attendant
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Pender Community Health Centre - Womxn's Night Clinic – Activity Program Volunteer
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Robert and Lily Lee Family Community Health Centre NEx Program - Harm Reduction Kiosk Attendant
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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
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Three Bridges Community Health Centre - NEx Program Harm Reduction - Kiosk Attendant
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Three Bridges Community Health Centre – SMART Recovery Program Volunteer
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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 - 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
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.
GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre - Speech Language Pathology - 1 to 1 Program Volunteer
Vancouver General Hospital - Cardiac Rehabilitation Program Volunteer
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.
GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre - Walking Program Volunteer
Come together as one collective team to deliver an exceptional care experience for all.