Every day Nova Scotia Health volunteers make someone's day brighter. Our volunteers support patients, clients and residents in communities across Nova Scotia.
Who are our volunteers?
Nova Scotia Health volunteers are individuals looking for a rewarding opportunity to share not only their time but provide meaningful support to patients, clients, residents, their families and our frontline staff through a variety of roles. Volunteers are a vital link in the important work of Nova Scotia Health.
Why volunteer with us?
Volunteers complement the care provided by professional staff. As a volunteer, you can gain personal satisfaction from helping others, obtain experience relevant to your future employment or educational plans, meet new people and learn more about the health care system.
How much time do I need to commit?
As a general rule, we ask volunteers to commit to two to three hours per week on a regular day for a minimum of four months. The minimum volunteer commitment may be greater than 4 months depending on the site and the volunteer position of interest to you.
Get to know our volunteers!
Keltie & Maiya (Therapy Dog Team)
Brenda Mackenzie (Patient and Family Advisor)
Community Health Boards (CHBs) are groups of volunteers from local communities, who work together to improve health and wellness of their communities. They gather ideas from local community members and share information about how to improve and promote health and wellness close to home. They focus on the many factors that affect health and wellness in our communities including income, education, and sense of belonging, among others. CHBs share what they have learned about your health and wellness priorities with Nova Scotia Health, IWK Health Centre, and other pertinent community groups.
You cannot serve on a CHB, if you are:
To find a Community Health Board in your area, please check the following link:
Our Therapy Dog volunteers bring comfort, joy and a sense of companionship through pet visitation to patients and residents in our facilities. All Therapy Dog volunteer teams are required to be certified through the St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog Training Program. As a Therapy Dog volunteer, you can provide a wonderful break in what can be a stressful time for both patients and staff alike. If you and your dog are a certified St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog team, then this role is for you.
Our Ambassador volunteers are friendly hosts to patients, families and visitors as they enter Nova Scotia Health facilities. The Ambassador Volunteers help relieve stress for patients and visitors who enter our facilities by providing directions and information about our facilities during their visit. This is a fast-paced program with varying demands requiring volunteers to be on their feet and to walk throughout the buildings. If you love meeting new people and working in a busy environment, then these roles are for you.
Our Out-Patient Clinic hospitality volunteers provide important social interaction with patients. These volunteers give directional information to patients, ensure they have registered at the correct location, and that patients have necessary items. As an Out-Patient Clinic Volunteer, you have a positive impact on patients' quality of care. If you are interested in ensuring patients have a positive experience while receiving treatment, then this role is for you.
Open to Certified Yoga Instructors - Documentation is Required
The goal of our Yoga programs is to create a safe and supportive environment for patients to participate in recreational activities that support community focused living. Yoga programs also give participants the opportunity to engage in regular exercise and to realize the benefits that yoga has one one's mental health. Our Yoga volunteers have the opportunity to support several mental health units, including inpatient and outpatient. If you are interested in instructing Yoga and contributing to a patient's wellbeing, these roles would be of interest to you.
In our Volunteer Clothing programs, volunteers with friendly smiles and strong backs help to receive the variety of clothing items that are donated. In addition, they help to keep the sorting processes efficient. Volunteers can spot hidden gems, vintage finds, and quality items to keep for mending and re-use. Clothing programs offer second-hand clothing free of charge to patients, residence or clients in need. This program is suitable for volunteers who can work independently, as well as in a team setting. Clothing programs involve physical work through caring for clothing and are best suited for individuals who are able to easily walk, bend, reach to pick up items and crouch. If you are passionate about supporting patients and clothing, then this role is for you.
Nova Scotia Health is committed to providing a safe, healthy, and respectful environment for team members (employees, physicians, learners and volunteers), patients, families, and visitors that reflects our Vision, Mission and Values.
Respectful Conduct
All Nova Scotia Health team members, patients, families and visitors are required to:
Our Values:
• Respect • Integrity • Courage • Innovation • Accountability
