Volunteer Opportunities
Opportunities
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers are regularly involved in the following areas. We may or may not have openings, in all areas, at the time of your application. Please consider applying for multiple roles, based on your skills, availability and interests.
Active Seniors & Veterans Living Centre - Program or Club Facilitator
Seeking volunteers aged 55 or older who are passionate about a particular hobby or interest and willing to help facilitate a club-style program for peers. Emphasis will be on social connection rather than instruction. Availability required: Weekday, daytime.
Adult Day Program
Assist seniors 55 years and older living with early to moderate stage Alzheimer's Disease and related dementias. Clients come to the program from their own homes to enjoy a day of stress-free socialization and fun while family caregivers have a few hours off. Weekday, daytime.
Clerical
Filing, photocopying, scanning, data entry, collating material and related tasks. Computer knowledge is helpful but not essential. Clerical volunteers support various departments. Availability required: Weekday, daytime.
Creative Arts
Under supervision of Creative Arts Instructors, volunteers assist residents with visual art projects including pottery, woodworking, painting and other mediums. Porter residents to and from the activity area, assist with set up, clean-up and socialization. Availability required: Weekdays, evenings or weekends.
Deborah's Gift Boutique
Customer service in the Gift Boutique, including operation of point-of-sale system. Engage with residents, staff and families while raising funds for the Perley Health Foundation. Monday to Friday, 10:00am – 4:00pm. Saturday or Sunday, 11:30am – 4:00pm. Minimum 6-month commitment.
Family Transition
Volunteers who possess a strong knowledge of Perley Health welcome new long-term care residents, and their accompanying family members, on admission day. Provide a tour, assist with move-in logistics, provide general companionship, answer questions.
Availability required: On call for weekday assignments, with short-term notice.
Friendly Visits
Volunteers are matched with residents and tenants to provide companionship and decrease isolation. A volunteer visitor should commit to visiting one or more residents, weekly. Availability required: Weekdays, evenings or weekends, outside of mealtimes.
Hair Salon
Porter residents to and from salon and help stylist with light duties, such as sweeping and booking appointments. Wednesday or Thursday, daytime.
Health Research at the Centre of Excellence
Contribute to cutting-edge research in long-term care. Tasks include scoping/systematic literature reviews, data collection, analysis, and supporting the development of research and clinical tools, guides, scientific publications and reports. Make a difference while gaining valuable experience in a dynamic and supportive learning environment. Availability required: minimum 3–5 hours per week, virtually or in-person.
Horticulture Therapy
Help maintain indoor & outdoor plants and/or assist with horticulture therapy group programs for residents. Weekdays, evenings or weekends.
Meal Assistance
With training and supervision from nursing staff, volunteers help feed residents who require support at mealtime.
Availability required: Any day, 8:00 – 9:30, 11:30 – 1:00 or 5:00 – 6:30.
Medical Escort
Accompany residents to off-site medical appointments. Volunteer travels with resident via Para Transpo or taxi, providing comfort and security. Availability required: On call. Typically weekday, daytime.
Palliative Care
Volunteers who complete a Palliative Care Volunteer Training Program are assigned to visit with residents who are approaching end of life. The volunteer provides listening support, respite for families, and a caring presence. Availability required: Weekdays, evenings or weekends.
Pet Therapy
Certified pet therapy teams visit individual residents, with guidance from the Therapeutic Recreation team. Contact Volunteer Services for a list of accepted certifications.
Availability required: Weekdays, evenings or weekends, outside of mealtimes.
Physiotherapy
Volunteers help Physiotherapy Assistants with one-to-one rehabilitation sessions and/or group exercise classes.
Availability required: weekday daytime, mornings preferred.
Residents' Choir
Under direction of a Music Therapists, bring residents to and from choir rehearsal and sing as an active member of the choir, including three of four in-house performances per year. Friday afternoon rehearsals, plus scheduled concerts.
Residents' Pub
Smart Serve certified volunteers tend bar for residents and their guests. Availability required: Afternoons, any day. Occasional evening shifts available.
Spiritual Health
Volunteers accompany residents to and from their rooms to the Chapel and stay with them during the service. Thursdays and Sundays, Roman Catholic Mass (9:30 to 11:00) Tuesdays - Ecumenical Service (1:30 to 3:00).
Therapeutic Recreation
Volunteers porter residents and engage with them at a range of social activities, including Bingo, cards, barbeques, concerts, movie nights, and Ice Cream Parlour. Weekdays, evenings or weekends for recurring or occasional shifts.