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. 

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

The following opportunities are available for Brookhaven Care Centre, Cottonwoods Care Centre, David Lloyd Jones Home and Three Links Manor:

• Recreational activities: art, crafts, bingo, games, entertainment, happy hour/social events, manicures
• Visiting: one-to-one friendly conversation, reading, games
• Outings: restaurants, picnics, malls, farmer’s market, casinos
• Entertainers: solo or group
• Spiritual care visits
• Pet visitation: registration with Caring Canines Kelowna or St. John Ambulance Dog Program is required
• Gift shop (Cottonwoods or Three Links Manor)

Applying to volunteer

We have completed our volunteer intake for 2025 and will be accepting new applications again in the spring of 2026.

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.

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 – one-to-one visits with patients – conversations, reading, word games, resident shopping

• Pet visitation – visit with patients with your SJA certified dog

• Youth volunteers – high school students aged 15-18

• Dinners at Home – South Okanagan Auxiliary

• Gardening – the Heirloom Garden Club maintains and beautifies the SOGH entranceway gardens, small group gardeners maintain the facility gardens

• Volunteer Drivers Club – assists patients and residents to appointments and community members to lab appointments

• Harm reduction volunteers – assemble harm reduction kits for at-risk populations in the community

• Musical entertainment – provides welcome musical entertainment in facilities

• Hospice – visits and palliative support by the Desert Valley Hospice Society Volunteers

Applying to volunteer
 

• Volunteer Application Form

• Criminal Record Check (please copy the access code KETF98QZ9L or apply using your BC Services Card)

• Please contact us directly at jessica.keller@interiorhealth.ca or call 250-498-5026 for further assistance.

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)