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National Volunteer Week, April 7 to 13, pays tribute to the millions of Canadian volunteers who give their time and energy to improve the lives of others. This week, the Deep River and District Hospital (DRDH) would like to thank and honour the volunteers who are dedicated to supporting our community, patients, and residents with their gift of compassion and their generous contribution of time.
For DRDH, volunteers play an important role across all areas of the organization. For example, volunteers contribute in patient advisory council meetings providing a patient’s perspective, they work with our Auxiliary in The Whistle Stop and Gift Shop raising money for special projects and improvements, and they work tirelessly with the Foundation to raise awareness and funds to support major capital purchases. Volunteers also play a significant role in improving the quality of patient and resident experiences through both our Ontario Breast Screening Program and in the Four Seasons Lodge Long-Term Care Home. Recreation programming and visiting, as well as the day-to-day experience of our patients and residents, are greatly enhanced by our volunteers. Further, specially trained palliative volunteers support residents and patients not only at end of life, but all along the palliative journey.
To support ongoing volunteer learning, DRDH is collaborating with Carefor Home and Community Services to host a palliative volunteer course on site in May. The course will support those interested in becoming a palliative volunteer through free in-person training and discussion. The course aims to support the role of volunteers in palliative care through building knowledge on topics such as understanding the dying process, spirituality, grief and bereavement, care for the care-giver and additional topics related to palliative care. For more information on the course, please contact Patti Kinghorn at 613-584-4463 or rkinghorn@sympatico.ca. To register, please contact Alice by email at agrenon@carefor.ca.
Recognizing the importance and value of all volunteers across the organization, DRDH is launching an updated volunteer program to build and expand the experience of volunteers. The program will support volunteers to participate safely while fully using their talents, skills and abilities to enhance the health care experience of our patients and residents. If you would like more information on how to volunteer, or what opportunities are available to support our patients, residents and community, please contact Amber Cox at 613-584-3333 ext 7114.
Thank you to all volunteers at DRDH, and across the country for all that you do. Click HERE to download the palliative care course poster
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