We Are IH: Volunteers give back across Interior Health

Name: Bernice Harrison
Role: Colposcopy Clinic Change Room Assistant
Community: Penticton (Syilx Okanagan)
Years of Service: 36.7

 
Bernice volunteering at the Penticton Regional Hospital

Bernice assists patients in the colposcopy clinic change room to get ready for their procedures. It meant a great deal for her to do something when she moved to Penticton. She figured that the Penticton Regional Hospital was a good place to give back while helping people, and, over 36 years later, she’s still there! 

Bernice took time off for a hip replacement and her welcome back by nurses and staff meant the world to her. 

Name: Janet Pyle
Role: Royal Inland Hospital Cancer Clinic Support
Community: Kamloops (Secwepemcúl’ecw)
Years of Service: 3.5

Janet hard at work volunteering at Royal Inland Hospital

Janet provides patient support at the Royal Inland Hospital Cancer Clinic. Her role is to ensure patients feel comfortable in the clinic by greeting and escorting them, and visiting with them. 

Janet knew nothing about the clinic until her husband became a patient. She was impressed by the staff and realized that she also wanted to help out. 

“It’s a wonderful place to be – patients seem so thankful and the nurses are great to work with," she said.

Janet enjoys getting to know all the patients and spending time with them, but she was especially impacted by a lovely couple – touched by how sweet, supportive and loving they were to each other.

If you ask her sons, they would say that volunteering in the cancer clinic is the best thing in which Janet is involved. Janet would tell anyone considering volunteering that they would never be sorry that they did.

Name: Angela Bearman
Role: Shop by Phone Program and Volunteer Driving Program
Community: Kelowna (Syilx Okanagan)
Years of Service: 20

Angela with fellow community volunteers, LtoR: Jag, Angela, Dianne, Katarina, Diana

Angela is a community volunteer, participating in the Shop by Phone and Volunteer Driving programs. Angela has volunteered in the central Okanagan for 18 years. She was also a hospice volunteer for two years at South Okanagan General Hospital in Oliver before moving to Kelowna.

For Shop by Phone, a collaborative program with Save on Foods, Angela coordinates seven phone and shopping volunteers. If there are any issues with orders, clients contact her directly and she liaises with the grocery store to fix the issue. Interestingly, this was one of the few programs that was able to continue during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“I consider myself to be very fortunate and never take my good fortune for granted. All of us, at some time, will need assistance or help, and being there for someone else to make their lives a little easier brings me a great deal of satisfaction. The old adage of it being better to give than receive resonates deeply with me. By giving back just a little through volunteering, I believe we strengthen our community’s social fabric, making it a better place for all to live and thrive.”

Angela has had the opportunity to meet wonderful Interior Health clients, developing a good rapport with the many clients whose lives have touched hers over the years. She appreciates having the time and opportunity to use the skills she’s developed over her lifetime in a volunteer environment. 

Name: Jane Holm
Role: Various at Vernon Jubilee Hospital
Community: Vernon (Syilx Okanagan)
Years of Service: 4

Jane ready for her volunteer shift at Vernon Jubilee Hospital

Jane has participated in a variety of activities since beginning her volunteer journey with Interior Health: meeting and greeting patients at the Surgical Optimization Clinic, providing general information and directions at the information desk, directing clients at the mass immunization clinic, and running personal belongings and care packages to patients in the hospital. 

Jane volunteers to give back to and stay involved in her community. A memorable moment was when a seven-year-old came in on crutches with a cast on his arm; while his mom parked the car, she asked Jane to watch him. Jane was glad that she could not only help mom but also make the patient feel important to hang out with her because she had a uniform, badge and a warm smile.

When asked about words of wisdom for those considering volunteering: 

Have you thought about volunteering with IH? 

Learn more about volunteering