(S5) Saskatoon City Hospital & St. Paul's Hospital

The goal of the Client Companion volunteer is to help patients feel welcome, maintain quality of life, and reduce some of the negative effects of being in hospital.  Client Companions offer socialization, conversation and non-medical supports.

Volunteers would interact one on one with patients in their room or in small groups of 2-4 in common areas.

Interactions might include card games, board games, conversation, current events, creative activities, coloring pictures, doing word puzzles, reading, music, going for "walks" in wheelchairs on or off the unit.

Shift times: 

One 2-hour shift on any day, Monday to Friday, between 2:00–4:00 PM   

Applicants must have strong communication skills and be able to work independently with minimal supervision. Minimum age 18 years.

The Book Cart Associate provides friendly and personalized service to patients in an acute care setting by offering a selection of books, magazines, and other reading materials. The volunteer transports the book cart from Volunteer Services to various hospital units and visits patient rooms to offer reading materials based on individual interests and preferences.

This role provides patients who may be unable to leave their rooms with convenient access to reading materials and an opportunity for positive social interaction. The Book Cart Associate helps bring comfort, companionship, and enjoyment to patients during their hospital stay.

Shift Details

• Approximately 1.5 hours per week
• Tuesday or Friday afternoon
• Preferred shift time: 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• Shift times may be negotiable based on operational needs

Physical Requirements

• Ability to walk longer distances throughout the hospital
• Ability to safely push a book cart
• Ability to navigate hospital hallways and patient care areas

Who Can Volunteer

Must have your own vehicle and a valid Driver's License

About The Role:

Various routes available throughout the city.  Shift times are Monday - Friday delivered over the lunch hours  (11:00-1:00). We are asking for a minimum of 1 shift a week for up to 6 months.

Meals on Wheels Volunteers deliver nutritious meals to clients assessed as needing support with nutrition.

What you will gain:

Personal accomplishment, develop and enhance communication skills, learn new job skills & obtain a work routine, being involved & giving back to community.

Volunteers pick up meals at given time from the outlet and delivers to client in their home. 

Volunteers support the P.A.R.T.Y. (Prevent Alcohol and Risk-Related Trauma in Youth) Program by sharing their personal injury and recovery experience with high school students. Presenters help youth understand the real-life impact of injuries and encourage safer choices and injury prevention.

Volunteers will:

• Share their personal experience of injury, treatment, rehabilitation, and recovery
• Deliver a structured 30–60 minute presentation to groups of approximately 100–150 high school students
• Participate in a question-and-answer session with students
• Share how the injury affected daily life, independence, relationships, school, work, and community participation
• Discuss injury prevention and safety
• Work with program staff to prepare and review presentation materials
• Use a microphone, presentation clicker, or other basic presentation equipment when required
• Follow program guidelines and maintain appropriate boundaries and confidentiality
• Participate in a brief debrief with program staff following presentations

Training and support are provided, including orientation to the P.A.R.T.Y. Program, presentation coaching, preparation support, and on-site staff support during presentations.

The ideal volunteer is comfortable speaking in front of high school students, able to share their experience in a clear and appropriate way, and emotionally ready to discuss their injury and recovery journey in a public setting. Volunteers should be comfortable answering questions, accepting guidance from program staff, and maintaining professionalism during presentations.

Referral Criteria

At this time, only candidates referred by Sask Central Acquired Brain Injury Education & Prevention are invited to apply.

Volunteer Requirements: Volunteers should be a minimum of two years post-injury, with traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injury experience preferred. Emotional and physical readiness to share a personal story is essential.

Time commitment: Occasional, up to six presentations per year. Each presentation requires a maximum of approximately two hours, including preparation and presentation time.

Location: Various high schools in Saskatoon and surrounding area

Must be 18 years of age or older.

Program: P.A.R.T.Y. Program – Sask Central Acquired Brain Injury Services