Northern Health has several volunteer opportunities to enrich the lives of residents in Long Term Care at Gateway. If you are available during the day Monday – Friday and have a heart for working with seniors, come join our team!
Corner Store Program
The Corner Store brings a normal and familiar activity to Gateway, allowing residents to shop and mingle while enjoying music and a coffee. Volunteers help with setup, act as a ‘clerk’ in the store, accompany residents from their rooms, and visit with residents. In order to bring back this much-loved program, we are looking for 2 volunteers who can make a regular weekly commitment Wednesday morning from 9 – 12.
Gardening:
We are beginning a garden program to provide meaningful activities and to contribute produce for the site’s kitchen. Volunteers help with various garden duties and assist residents to plant, tend, and harvest. Shifts are 2 – 3 hours long, with a preference for weekday coverage. Volunteers are asked to commit for the garden season (approximately March to October), completing 2 – 4 shifts per month.
Creative Expressions: Artistic activities provide an important outlet for persons with dementia, improving mood, reducing depression and anxiety, and deepening connections with other people. Volunteers help staff with the program setup and cleanup, assist people to the activity, and visit with and encourage residents during the session. Mondays from 1 – 3:30 pm.
Bingo: Bingo brings fun and excitement to Gateway! Volunteers help staff with setup, assist residents to the activity, and encourage and support residents during the activity. Mondays from 1 – 3:30 pm.
Outings/Special Events:
We are building a call list of volunteers to accompany residents and staff on outings or support special events at Gateway. Volunteers help with portering residents to and from activities, setting up and hosting activities, and keeping residents company at events. Volunteers must have flexible weekday availability (typically Tuesday-Friday).
Volunteers are asked to make a minimum 6 month commitment to these roles. To apply, visit nhvolunteer.ca, or email volunteers@northernhealth.ca for more information.
