Thank you for your interest in volunteering at BC's Children's Hospital and BC Women's Hospital & Health Centre.
We are fortunate to receive a significant volume of interest from potential volunteers. Our greatest need for volunteers is Monday to Friday 8 AM to 4 PM. Our very limited weekend and evening volunteer opportunities are typically filled by our existing volunteers.
Once you have submitted your application, you will receive more information about our recruitment process in Late October/November (for a January start), or March (for a May start) and in July (for a Sept start).
The time commitment is one year for all volunteer assignments. Applicants must be 16 years of age or older before submitting an application and/or attending an information session.
Please fully complete the online application with all required details, as we do review all applications closely during our recruitment process. Successful applicants will receive instructions on how to complete a criminal record check, reference check, and required orientation/training courses.
Applicants who would like to volunteer in child patient support opportunities must have current or previous work or volunteer experience with children (birth - 17 years old). This requirement reflects the age range of our pediatric patients and the nature of these volunteer assignments at BC Children's and BC Women's Hospital.
If you have not been placed within 6 months of submitting your application, your skills, interests, and availability may not match our current vacancies, and your application will be closed. You are welcome to re-apply in the future.
Please read our Frequently Asked Questions document. If you have any additional questions, please don't hesitate to contact our office: volunteer@cw.bc.ca or phone 604-875-2000 ext. 7221.
Privacy and Anti - Spam Disclaimer
Personal information is collected and used for the purpose of administering the BCCH & BCWH volunteer programs.
- The Volunteer Resources Program is collecting this information under s.26 (c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
- Please be aware that any information collected may be stored on servers belonging to Better Impact.
- Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL) requires that no electronic messages with any degree of commercial content can be sent without you first providing your express consent to receive a commercial electronic message (CEM) through an email, phone, instant messaging service etc. The completion of an application with our Volunteer Resources Program indicates informed consent to receiving email messages.
If you wish to unsubscribe from email messages, you can do so by ending your volunteer relationship.
Thank you,
Volunteer Resources Team
BC Children's Hospital and BC Women's Hospital & Health Centre
We respectfully acknowledge that BC Children's and BC Women's Hospital's are located on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Peoples. Each Nation has distinct histories and distinct traditional territories that fully or partially encompass the city.
We encourage you to learn more about the Host Nations whose ancestors have occupied and used these lands, including parts of present-day Vancouver, for thousands of years.
I would like to volunteer
Volunteer Assignments
Auxiliary Board and Committees
Volunteers experienced in fundraising, event planning, communications and finance as well as those seeking to develop skills in board development and organizational leadership are encouraged to be involved in the Auxiliary Board of Directors for BC Children's Hospital or BC Women's Hospitals & Health Centre.
Opportunities include:
- Fundraising events and activities
- Gift Shops and Thrift Shop operations
- Other business enterprises (Holiday Cards, Silent Auction, Clothing Bin, etc.)
Navigation and Wayfinding
Volunteers provide wayfinding support and assist patients, families and visitors to both hospitals. Volunteers are assigned at various entrances around the hospital campus to support site screeners and help everyone get where they need to go - without adding to their stress levels!
Outgoing applicants with strong people skills are needed now and training offered year-round.
Shift times are Mondays through Sundays from 8am - 12pm, 12 - 4pm and 4 pm - 8 pm.
Direct Patient and Family Services
Volunteers contribute greatly to the "hospital experience" of children, siblings, youth, women and families. Volunteers provide distraction and safe play environments for patients and siblings on site. Training in age and developmentally appropriate activities, infection control & isolation precautions and an online course focusing on patient/family confidentiality and privacy are required prior to starting your assignment. Volunteers must be 18+ for patient contact positions due to the privacy of our pediatric patients and the nature of the care. Previous experience with tutoring, sports coaching, mentoring or teaching is required.
All roles have a one-year commitment.
Opportunities include:
- Child Life - Sunny Hill, Emergency Department, Inpatients
- Sunny Hill Recreation and Aquatic Therapy
- Inpatient Eating Disorders Education Support
- Fun Cart
- NICU & FIR Comfort Programs
Thrift Shops and Gift Shop
Volunteers who have or want to acquire good retail and customer service skills can contribute to the Hospital Gift Shops (BC Children's Hospital and BC Women's Hospital) and the Still Fabulous Thrift Shop (4355 Main Street, Vancouver).
These non-profit ventures provide 100% of revenues to BC Children's & BC Women's Hospitals.
Campus Service Assignments
Volunteers contribute to programs that support all of BC Children's Hospital and BC Women's Health Centre.
Opportunities include:
- Sibling Support Centre
- Shop-at-no-cost space/Volunteer Resources office & donation support
Mission Statement
The role of Volunteer Resources is to provide volunteer support to the programs and services offered by the BC Children's and BC Women's Hospital's and Health Centres.
This support is intended to augment and supplement existing patient services providing for the psycho-social, emotional, and developmental needs of patients and their families.
Volunteers are also recruited as sales associates for our gift shops and thrift shops to raise funds for the hospitals.
Volunteers do not perform the functions of paid professional staff.
