Below you will find information about the adult & youth programs, as well as the hospital auxiliary.
For general inquiries, please see the Facilities Page.
Brochures
Application Forms
Questionnaire
Volunteer Opportunity Descriptions
How to Apply
If you are interested in volunteering, complete the application form, attach 2 letters of reference, and mail or fax it to Volunteer Resources (below).
Please call monthly to let us know if you are still interested, as you may be on a wait list. If we don't hear from you regularly, your file will be discarded in 6 months.
If you have any further questions feel free to contact Petra Slaughter (Monday - Thursday).
Thank you for your interest. We hope to hear from you soon.
To meet with me, please phone or leave a message requesting an appointment to discuss your interest in volunteering at Victoria General Hospital.
Petra Slaughter
Volunteer Coordinator
Phone (250) 727-4134 (Volunteer Resources)
Fax (250) 727-4106 (please phone ahead before faxing)
Victoria General Hospital
1 Hospital Way
Victoria BC V8Z 6R5
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VIHA Volunteers
(From Currents newsletter, September 2007)
Kudos to VIHA volunteer Bill Young who is being honoured with the 8th annual Valued Elder Recognition Award (VERA), which will be awarded on Oct. 1, the International Day of Older Persons. The VERA is a very prestigious community award from the University of Victoria Centre on Aging.
Bill has been a much loved and appreciated member of the VGH Volunteer Program since 1994 and has contributed over 13,000 hours of his own time to volunteer activities at the hospital. At 76 years of age, Bill has shown tireless enthusiasm and energy for helping others, volunteering 3 times a week and contributing approximately 100 hours per month! In addition to his dedication to volunteerism, Bill is known for his quiet, calm and helpful manner, intelligence, modesty, and knowledge, as well as his excellent social graces and ability to communicate with patients, families, staff and other volunteers, thereby gaining their trust, respect and friendship.
Bill actively volunteers in various volunteer roles at VGH such as in Emergency, at the Red Cross Loan Depot, and with the PARTY program (Prevent Alcohol Related Trauma in Youth). He is also a Special Request Volunteer and Patient Support Volunteer on acute care units, and an Orientation Leader who welcomes, tours and trains new and incoming volunteers to VGH areas.
Congratulations to Bill for being celebrated for his giving nature and excellent work!
(From Currents newsletter, May 2007)
On Mondays or Tuesdays you may find 16- year old VGH Youth Volunteer Carla Evans visiting patients to loan them books, chatting with patients to help them pass the time, bringing Auxiliary Gift Shop items to the bedside of those who can’t leave their rooms, or simply helping out in the VGH volunteer services office.
Since becoming a volunteer at VGH last May, Carla has contributed over 525 volunteer hours in the hospital, and she shows no signs of slowing down. “I love this work,” says Carla. “I have met so many interesting people, and it is wonderful to know that I can help someone feel better.”
Carla helps with the Library Cart Program, which provides acute care patients with reading materials. She also visits patients, giving them social stimulation and leisure diversion. Recently, Carla began helping in the volunteer office with general office duties and volunteer scheduling. “Her skills on the computer are awesome,” says Petra Slaughter, Volunteer Coordinator. “Carla is creative, flexible and makes a difference in the lives of patients and those of us lucky enough to know her.”
Carla’s dedication to VGH was recognized last month when she was the recipient of the “Amazing Kid” award. This program, sponsored by Save-on-Foods and AChannel, comes with a $1,000 bursary. Carla - you are indeed an Amazing Kid!
(From Currents newsletter, April 2007)
April 15-21 was National Volunteer Week. VIHA is proud to acknowledge the approximately 4500 selfless and caring individuals, who, as respected and valued members of the healthcare team, help us enhance the quality of healthcare on Vancouver Island.
We would like to say a special thank-you to our volunteers for helping us achieve our vision of healthy people, healthy communities, and seamless service, and encourage others who are interested in giving of their time to consider volunteering with VIHA. Here are some very good reasons to become a volunteer:
1. Volunteerism offers a strong sense of purpose: To know there are people who would name you their personal hero for the work you’ve done is right up there with winning the Super Bowl.
2. Community Service extends professional networks: People trust volunteers. There is a rapport established when you’re caught in the act of helping without a motive.
3. Volunteerism introduces new friends: Trust us, there’s more to life than Desperate Housewives.
4. Volunteer jobs are fantastic learning opportunities: Aside from a little trivia, you may acquire new job skills and be committed into staying for the long haul.
5. They look good on a resume: When choosing potential employees, bosses hire people with volunteer experience because it takes a giving person, with a strong sense of community to volunteer, not to mention the skills and experience acquired.
6. Volunteerism keeps you active and involved: It keeps people connected with people who have similar interests and the act of ‘giving’ keeps you young.
7. Volunteers save lives: Without the thousands of community heroes Canada boasts, many programs would not survive.
8. Volunteering boosts self esteem: Nothing feels better than the many thanks and accolades you’ll receive as a volunteer.
9. Volunteering provides a sense of belonging: This is especially true for people who’ve lost a spouse, the recently retired or those new to the community. Volunteering plugs you into things.
10.Volunteering is the single best way to say ‘thank you’: For people in whose lives volunteers have made an impact, becoming a volunteer is the single most powerful thank you there is.
~ Heather Neale, Volunteer
(From Currents newsletter, January 2007)
Vancouver Island Rock & Alpine Garden Society (VIRAGS) and the Native Plant Study Group (NPSG) are partnering with VIHA Volunteer Resources at the Victoria General Hospital to revitalize the native habitat of the Garry Oak rock outcrop, viewable through the windows opposite the Auxiliary Gift Shop.
The project has 5 phases:
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removal of the invasive species
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assessment of erosion and steps to mitigate its continuation
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planting of native species to increase interest
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producing native plant educational material available to the public
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ongoing maintenance
VIHA and our community partners are very enthusiastic about this restoration. It’s an opportunity to put their collective expertise to work and increase the public’s awareness of native species specially adapted to the local climate. For staff and patients at VGH it provides another opportunity to escape the stresses of our daily lives and reflect at the wonders of nature.
Many thanks to VGH Volunteer Resources, VGH Plant Services and the great people at VIRAGS and NPSG for pulling together to develop a beautiful, educational and healing legacy in the heart of our hospital. This is another example of volunteers making a difference in our community!
(From Currents newsletter, April 2006)
What do gardeners, manicurists, teachers, musicians and computer experts have in common? They are among the 3,600 people who generously volunteer 17,000 hours of their personal time each month to help patients, visitors and staff at VIHA facilities across Vancouver Island.
“Our volunteers make a huge contribution to the well being of our clients and staff,” said CEO Howard Waldner. “The
health authority is extremely grateful for their selfless service and dedication.”
In recognition of the contribution of volunteers within VIHA, the Board of Directors passed a motion in November endorsing the Canadian Code for Volunteer Involvement’s Values for Volunteer Involvement and Guiding Principles for Volunteer Involvement.
Volunteers perform a range of services that match their skills and interests. For example, they may lead worship services, provide musical entertainment at long-term care facilities, deliver heated blankets to dialysis patients, visit patients, help visitors find their way through hospitals, or help patients fill out forms for day surgery.
Their efforts enhance the comfort of patients and clients, while giving VIHA employees the practical assistance they need to perform at their very best.
Volunteering also benefits the volunteers. It allows people to develop new skills, make contacts and “test drive” a career setting that holds special interest for them. For students, volunteer work can open the door to their first entry-level jobs.
“I want to thank all VIHA employees who have supported the efforts of volunteers to gain new skills in a variety of health care environments,” said Waldner. “Your kindness will encourage many volunteers to train for careers in the health care field and continue volunteering for years to come.”
Canadian volunteers are being honored during National Volunteer Week, April 23 - April 29. For more information, visit www.volunteercanada.ca.