Volunteer

Screening ensures the highest standards for clients and volunteers:

• Application submission

• Criminal Record Check

• Reference Checks

• Interview & Site Tour

• Thorough orientation and interactive training

• Ongoing support and education

• Challenging and rewarding assignments

• Appreciation of your unique skills and talents

Find volunteer opportunities across the Interior Health region. Volunteers are present in many health-care programs and services, including:

• Community Care
• Hospital
• Long-term Care
• Public Health
• Substance Use Services

For all East Kootenay volunteer inquires please contact EKHVolunteers@interiorhealth.ca.

• Assistance with recreational activities such as bingo, floor curling, dice games, card group, board games or simply sharing your unique talents and skills with residents

• Friendly Visitor- one on one conversations, reading, walks, games, manicures

• Assisting on outings - shopping, picnics, community events

• Pet therapy visits through St. Johns Ambulance with your certified pet

• Serving refreshments in main lounge area / meal club assistance / tea party gatherings and various special events

• Entertainment / musicians

• For further information please contact Margot at margot.wright@interiorhealth.ca

Type of volunteer opportunities

• Adult Day Services – socialize with seniors, engage in hands-on activities or share your unique talents and skills
• Friendly Visitors – provide companionship to housebound older adults and respite for their caregivers
• Drivers - provide transportation to medical appointments, banking and grocery shopping
• Meal Delivery – Deliver meals to Adult Day Service programs and individuals with mobility issues
• Shop by Phone – contact clients each week via phone and/or shop for clients’ groceries.
• Child & Baby Clinics – greet parents and assist with weighing and measuring
• Prenatal Packages – assembling information packages that are given to expectant mothers
• Toy Cleaning – clean and sanitize toys used at clinics
• Renal Dialysis Unit - To provide visiting, companionship, play games, watch movies, and interact with patients undergoing treatment. 

Applying to volunteer

• Volunteer Application Form (This is the file path to the PDF file)
• Criminal Record Check (Please copy the access code TYFCPFTFTP)
• For further information and to contact us directly, please email COKCommunityVolunteerServices@interiorhealth.ca or call us at 250-980-1558. 

Applying to volunteer

• Fill in the Volunteer Application Form
• Complete a Criminal Record Check (Please copy the access code V4V7VNDA4K)
• For further information and to contact us directly, please email LTCVolunteerServices@interiorhealth.ca

Type of volunteer opportunities

• Patient visitation programs - one-to-one, making friendly conversation and providing support.  
• Information desks - welcome and guide people, provide direction, and assist with deliveries. 
• Medical unit support, outpatient escort, mail delivery, and various other programs. 

Applying to volunteer   

• Volunteer Application Form
• Please contact us directly at KelownaKGHVolunteerServices@interiorhealth.ca or call 250-862-4492 or 250-862-4497 for further assistance.
• Criminal Record Check (please copy the access code A2U28W9KXC)

Type of volunteer opportunities

• Visiting – One-to-one making friendly conversation/reading/word games with patients including palliative care
• Information Desks – welcome and guide people, provide direction and assist with deliveries.
• Retail – on site Auxiliary Gift Shop
• Cancer Clinic – interact with patients and visitors, serve prepared lunch/snacks
• Diagnostic clinic support – assist/direct patients and assist clinic staff
• Courier/Mail delivery and various other programs
• Pet Visitation – visit with patients with your SJA certified dog
• Youth Volunteers – high school students aged 15-18

Applying to volunteer

• Volunteer Application Form
• Youth healthcare volunteer program information package
• Please contact us directly at vjhvolunteerservices@interiorhealth.ca or call 250-558-1364 for further assistance.
• Criminal R​ec​ord Check (please copy the access code BR6PRXGRES)

Types of volunteer opportunities

• Recreation Programs - Art/painting, games, bingo, entertainment, happy hour/social events, manicures
• Outings - Restaurants, picnics
• Spiritual care - Visits
• Companions for appointments or shopping
• Visiting - One-on-one friendly conversation, reading, games, computer assistance
• Entertainers - Solo or group
• Gardening - Seasonal
• Pet visitation - Registered with a recognized pet therapy organization
• Youth volunteers ages 15-18 (Polson)

Facilities you can volunteer at

• Polson Extended Care

• Noric House

• Gateby Care Centre

Applying to volunteer

• Volunteer application form

• Please contact us directly at vjhvolunteerservices@interiorhealth.ca or call 250-558-1364 for further assistance.

Types of volunteer activities

• Helping with recreational activities
• Visitor friendly such as one-on-one conversations, reading, walks, games
• Assisting on outings such as shopping, community events
• Pet therapy visits through St. Johns Ambulance program

Applying to volunteer

• Volunteer Application Form
• Criminal Record Check - Please copy the access code AE3JFCD35Z
• For further information please contact Eirinn Macdonald at Eirinn.macdonald@interiorhealth.ca or call 250-499-3021

Type of volunteer opportunities

• Information desks – welcome and guide people, provide direction and assist with deliveries.
• Retail – sell items in the on-site Gift Shop.
• Meal delivery – volunteer with Meals on Wheels delivering meals to individuals with mobility issues
• Clinic desk – welcome and help outpatient clinics with patient appointments and directions
• Westview extended care – one-to-one visits, activities and outings, personal shopping
• Pet therapy – service animals to visit patients. Registration with St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog is required.
• Visiting – visit with patients, watch movies, play cards, etc.
• SOS Café – barista and meal preparations at the on-site café
• Youth Volunteer Program (15+) – create department specific kits, clothes closet, info desks, one-to-one visits and more
• Recycling – gather bottles, cans and containers around the site

Applying to volunteer

• Volunteer Application Form

• Submit application form to PRHVolunteerServices@interiorhealth.ca

• Please contact for more information by calling 250-462-7965 or 250-492-4000 ext. 32518 
   

Type of volunteer opportunities

Summerland Eye Clinic

• Clinic desk – welcome and help with patient appointments and directions

Dr. Andrew Pavilion Long-Term Care

• Extended care – one-to-one visits, activities and outings

• Youth volunteer program – one-to-one visits, crafting, games and activities

Apply to volunteer at Dr. Andrew Pavilion

• Please contact Andrea Jones at Andrea.Jones2@interiorhealth.ca

Type of volunteer opportunities

• Friendly Visitors - Provide one-to-one companionship with conversation, reading or garden walks

• SOGH Navigational Volunteers - Greet visitors, provide information and escort patients to designated areas

• Recreation and Activities Volunteers - Assist with activities including bingo, sing-alongs and crafts

• Pet Visitation - Visit patients and residents with a St. John Ambulance certified dog

• Youth Volunteers (students age 14-18) - Engage in one-to-one visits, games and manicures

• Gardening - Assist with light weeding, watering, and seasonal clean-up at Mckinney Place and Sunnybank

• Musicians and Entertainment - Share live music and entertainment with long term care residents

• Person & Family Advisory Council - Attend quarterly meetings to help improve healthcare services at SOGH

• Desert Valley Hospice Society - Provide compassionate visits and palliative care support

• Meals on Wheels - Deliver noon meals to homes in the Oliver area

Applying to volunteer

• Please contact Jessica Keller at jessica.keller@interiorhealth.ca or call 250-498-5026.

Types of volunteer activities

• Helping with recreational activities such as bowling, shuffleboard, curling 
• Visitor friendly such as one-on-one conversations, reading, walks, games, manicures
• Assisting on outings such as shopping, picnics, community events
• Pet therapy visits through St. Johns Ambulance program
• Serving refreshments in main lounge area

Applying to volunteer

• Volunteer Application Form
• Criminal Record Check (please copy the access code EBWZXH8M9Q)
• For further information please contact Willow Vasquez at willow.vasquez@interiorhealth.ca or call 250-493-6601 Ext. 5.

Type of volunteer opportunities

• Friendly visitors – one-to-one visits with patients – conversation, reading, word games
• Information desks – welcome, direct and escort patients and visitors, provide information and assistance
• Emergency – greet patients and visitors, provide information, direct and escort to designated areas
• Medical areas – ICU and Daycare Surgery
• Cancer clinic – greet and visit patients, serve beverages and snacks
• Pet visitation – visit with patients with your SJA certified dog
• Youth volunteers – high school students aged 14-18
• Afternoon auxiliary to RIH – gift shop, mobile cart, thrift seller

Applying to volunteer

To apply, you must complete both of the following:

• Volunteer Application Form
• Criminal Record Check: please copy the access code 34CQKTYMN6

For assistance, please contact us at RIHVolunteerServices@interiorhealth.ca or call 250-314-2313.

Overlander Long-term Care

Type of volunteer opportunities

• Spiritual care – organized services and end-of-life support
• Trinity Hospice – patient & family support
• Pet visitation – Visit Overlander Residents & Trinity Patients with SJA certified dog
• Friendly visits – conversation, manicures, board games, card games
• Plant care
• Assist and support recreational programs – bingos, dinner programs, shopping trips, social outings, special and seasonal events
• Porter Hair Salon, gift shop and entertainment programs
• Accompany residents to medical appointments
• Youth volunteers – high school students 14-18 years

Applying to volunteer

• Volunteer Application Form
• Criminal Record Check (please copy access code SSAHCQUS3N)
• For further information please email Overlander Volunteer Services or call 250-554-5569.

Ponderosa Lodge

Applying to volunteer

• Please contact Lori Surinak, Recreation & Volunteer Coordinator, Ponderosa Lodge at 250-320-1568 (call or text) or lori.surinak@interiorhealth.ca for further assistance.

Gillis House

Type of volunteer opportunities

• Visits with our residents - manicures, reading books, playing games 
• Accompany residents to shops
• Coffee outings
• Assisting with bus outings
• Assisting with monthly events (birthday parties, musical events, tea parties)
• Support recreation with programs (bingo, Bunko, gardening)
• Take residents on walks
• Assisting with garden boxes and plants that our residents care for
• Pet visits – pets must be certified by St. John’s Ambulance 
• Spiritual care
• Pet therapy (SJA certified)
• Social visits
• Plant care
• Assist and support recreational programs
• Porter to events/programs
• Accompany individuals to medical appointments
• Take individuals on walks
• Youth volunteers
• University volunteers. 

Youth volunteers – High school students (14-18 years)

• Buddy volunteer programs
• Can take residents for garden walks
• Support recreation with programs (card games, board games)

Applying to volunteer

• Youth Volunteer Application Form
• Volunteer Application Form
• Criminal Record Check (please copy access code BR5SMS57FN)
• For further information, please contact Avinash Tanda, Recreation & Volunteer Coordinator, Gillis House at (250) 378-3254 or avinash.tanda@interiorhealth.ca.

Shuswap Lake General Hospital

Type of volunteer opportunities

• Outpatients Services
  • Diagnostic Imaging Support: Guide visitors and patients to all Imaging Departments with non-clinical tasks and directions.
  • Greeter: Welcome patients, visitors, and staff warmly. Assist with wayfinding to departments and floors. Non-clinical tasks.
  • Outpatient Rehab: Assist rehab and physio teams with light duties, non-clinical tasks. 
• Visiting 
  • Inpatient support: Spend time with inpatients - read, offer companionship, and be a calming, healing presence. Flexible scheduling available. Non-clinical tasks.
  • St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog Program: Provides comfort, reduces stress, and lifts the spirits of patients, families, and staff.
• Evening Youth Program 15 -18 High School Students: Support inpatients with light non-clinical tasks like offering water, delivering food trays, and running the mobile book cart. Earn school credits while exploring health-care careers. After-school hours.
• Indigenous Healing Garden: Help beautify our garden and garden boxes —arrange flowers, herbs and do light weeding. Assist with planting. 
• Mobile Book Cart: Visit inpatients with our cart full of books, puzzles, and colouring pages to brighten their day. Flexible hours and shifts available.
• Shuswap Lake Health-Care Auxiliary: Retail - on-site Auxiliary Gift Shop, assist with events and fundraising. Greeter - offer a warm hello. (Please choose auxiliary under volunteer preference on application).

Applying to volunteer

• Volunteer Application Form
• Criminal R​ec​ord Check (please copy the access code for the CRC: F2WLEXEWCX)
• Please contact us directly at SLGHVolunteerServices@interiorhealth.ca or call 250-833-3600 ext 34338 for further assistance.

Bastion Place

Type of volunteer opportunities

• Friendly visitors: One-to-one visits with patients – conversations, reading, word games, resident shopping
• Pet visitation: Visit the residents with your SJA certified dog
• Gardening: Help to maintain the facility gardens
• Volunteer Drivers Club: Assists patients and residents to appointments.
• Assist with virtual visits
• Musical entertainment: Provide welcomed musical entertainment.
• Assist with recreation programs such as bowling, bingo, bus outings and table top games.
• Class #4 Volunteer Bus Driver
• Work in the Bastion Tuck Shop

Applying to volunteer

• Please contact Jennifer Hagen, at 250-833-3616 ext. 46865 or email Jennifer.Hagen@interiorhealth.ca for a Volunteer Application and more information on how you can become a Volunteer today.
• Criminal Records Check (Required)

Type of volunteer opportunities

• Patient visitation programs - one-to-one, making friendly conversation and providing support
• Information desks - welcome and guide people, provide direction, and assist with deliveries 
• Medical unit support, outpatient escort, mail delivery, and various other programs 

Applying to volunteer   

• Volunteer Application Form
• Please contact us directly at CMHVolunteerServices@interiorhealth.ca or call or 250-305-8382 for further assistance.
• Criminal Record Check (please copy the access code P52A023OO7)