Volunteering at Oak Ridges Hospice
Volunteers at Oak Ridges Hospice provide compassionate support to residents and their families in a variety of meaningful ways. Whether it be greeting visiting families, preparing light meals, baking treats in the kitchen, tending to our outdoor gardens, helping with administrative duties or assisting at fundraising events, your contributions will all help to enhance the experience of our residents and their families by making them feel comfortable and nurtured in our hospice home.
We offer both short and long-term opportunities and do our very best to help you find a volunteer opportunity that suits your needs and skills that is engaging in meaningful ways.
By volunteering your time, you’ll be helping others and making a difference during one of the most challenging times in their lives.
To become a volunteer you must:
· Be 16 years or older, and 18 years or older to work directly with residents and families
· Submit an online application
· Attend a screening interview
· Show proof of vaccination
Note: Due to changes within our requirements and the personal availability of individual applicants, we cannot guarantee that every applicant will obtain a volunteer placement.
Where can I volunteer?
Administrative Support Volunteers
Administrative Support Volunteers assist Oak Ridges Hospice staff in managing various administrative tasks. Tasks could include data entry, photocopying, assembling packages, phone calls, etc. This role will assist with the overall efficiency and build capacity within the hospice team.
Screening and Training Requirements
Police Records Check – Vulnerable Sector Screening, 2 Reference Checks, Oak Ridges Volunteer Orientation, On the job training as required
Expected Time Commitment
4 hours per week
Direct Support Volunteers
Direct Support Volunteers assist the care team in providing high quality care for its residents and families. The volunteer provides companionship, comfort measures, practical support, emotional support, and respite to caregivers. This involves assisting nursing/health care staff with non-medical tasks as required and practical support around the home i.e laundry and light house keeping
Screening and Training Requirements
Police Records Check – Vulnerable Sector Screening, 2 Reference Checks, • HPCO online volunteer training (30 hours), Oak Ridges Volunteer Orientation, 2-3 peer support shadow sessions
Expected Time Commitment
4 hours per week
Kitchen Volunteers
Kitchen volunteers create a warm welcoming, home-like environment in the hub of the house..the kitchen! Kitchen volunteers support the physical comfort and emotional well-being of residents and their families through conversation and food. This involves the preparation, cooking, kitchen clean-up, presentation of food, and ensuring that safety measures are taken in food preparation.
Screening and Training Requirements
Police Records Check – Vulnerable Sector Screening, 2 Reference Checks, • HPCO online volunteer training (8 hours), Oak Ridges Volunteer Orientation, Food Safety Training (5 hours), 2-3 peer support shadow sessions
Expected Time Commitment
4 hours per week
Welcome Desk Volunteers
Welcome Desk volunteers provide information and a warm welcome to everyone who visits Oak Ridges Hospice. This involves answering the telephone and greeting visitors in a polite and welcoming manner, as well as answering questions that may arise, assisting with wayfinding and administrative tasks as required.
Screening and Training Requirements
Police Records Check – Vulnerable Sector Screening, 2 Reference Checks, • HPCO online volunteer training (8 hours), Oak Ridges Volunteer Orientation, 1-2 peer support shadow sessions
Expected Time Commitment
4 hours per week
Grief and Bereavement Support Volunteers
Grief and Bereavement support volunteers offer compassionate peer to peer support to grieving individuals, caregivers, families and friends through phone calls, and/or one-to-one or group grief sessions. Volunteers provide follow-up information, emotional support and companionship to residents and families.
Screening and Training Requirements
Police Records Check – Vulnerable Sector Screening, 2 Reference Checks, HPCO online volunteer training (30 hours), Grief and Bereavement training (10 hours), Oak Ridges Volunteer Orientation, 2 peer support shadow sessions
Expected Time Commitment
2-4 hours per week
Occasional Skill Sharing Volunteers
Volunteers with special skills (e.g. cooking, crafts, art, gardening, playing an instrument ect.) can provide learning opportunities and encourage social interaction for residents, families, volunteers and staff who wish to participate.
Screening and Training Requirements
Police Records Check – Vulnerable Sector Screening, 2 Reference Checks, Oak Ridges Volunteer Orientation
Expected Time Commitment
Varies
Special Events and Fundraising Volunteers
Special Events and Fundraising volunteers assists Oak Ridges Hospice with the organizing and executing special events with objective of raising funds for programs and services. These volunteers may assist with planning events, raising awareness, assisting with event set up and take down and administrative tasks as required.
Screening and Training Requirements
2 Reference Checks, Oak Ridges Volunteer Orientation
Expected Time Commitment
Varies