Volunteer opportunities fall into one of three general categories across two hospital sites.
Working Directly with Patients, Families and/or Visitors
Volunteers who directly support patients, families and/or visitors are outgoing, able to initiate interactions and be self-directed, are flexible, adaptable to a variety of situations, and able to maintain professional relationships. If volunteering with patients, these individuals generally have hobbies or interests they would like to share such as playing music, cards, reading together, doing puzzles, crafts, or simply going for a walk. Sometimes these volunteers ‘simply’ provide a warm blanket or sit quietly with an individual while their family takes a break. Volunteers working with families or visitors may be escorting individuals, offering general information, engaging in lighthearted conversation, or reconnecting them with a patient receiving treatment. These volunteers are guided by a genuine desire to adapt what they offer to best meet the needs of the individuals they are engaging with in that moment. They may be providing this service at the bedside, within a specialized program/area, at the hospital entrance, or in an outpatient clinic setting at one of KHSC’s sites.
Liaison and Information
Liaison and information volunteers play a crucial role helping people get where they need to be! Their objective is to be accessible to anyone who is lost, overwhelmed, or confused at Kingston Health Sciences Centre. They initiate contact offering to be of assistance by providing directions, walking with someone to where they need to be, or calling for information or assistance on their behalf. These volunteers don’t necessarily know everything, but they have a desire to learn it and are provided with the tools and training to be successful in their position. They alleviate fear, anxiety, confusion, and make KHSC a warmer, positive place for everyone who enters our sites to receive care.
Supporting Fundraising Activities
Individuals who volunteer in the KGH Tuck Shop, Gift Shop or Lottery Booth have a unique opportunity to brighten the day of patients, staff, and all those who enter the hospital. These volunteers contribute to creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere and make a tangible difference in people’s hospital experiences. If you enjoy meeting new people, helping them find the perfect gift or product, making small talk and providing a listening ear in addition to a cup of coffee or lotto ticket, this is the role for you. Not only will you feel great about providing this highly appreciated service, but the profits raised from these businesses are donated back to the hospital to enhance the care patients receive. Talk about a win-win!
To learn more about the KGH Auxiliary, click here.
Expected time commitment
- The weekly commitment can vary anywhere from one to four hours depending on the needs of the program
- We have weekday, evening and weekend options
- We ask for a minimum commitment of one-shift per week for a minimum of six months
- We accommodate firm and flexible weekly schedules and are open to discussion with snowbirds, cottagers, travelers, and other schedule alternatives
What happens if I cannot commit to the same day and time each week?
We have a flexible scheduling option for volunteers who find it challenging to commit to the same day and time each week. Volunteers are still expected to commit weekly by visiting the online schedule to pick shifts that match with their availability at the time.
Can I still volunteer if I go away for the winter or summer?
Yes. We appreciate that people have busy lives and we do our best to accommodate breaks in service. For any breaks in service that are longer than a month, the volunteer provides an estimated return date and they are put on a leave of absence.
We attempt to find a temporary replacement for the shift during the volunteer’s break but we can’t guarantee that a volunteer will return to the same program and shift time. If the shift is picked up by another volunteer during the leave, we will work with the returning volunteer to arrange a new placement.
