Volunteer: Friendly Visiting Volunteer

Elder Help Peel seeks volunteers who can visit home bound clients, who are lonely, isolated, physically and/or cognitively impaired. Volunteers would be interacting with clients with Alzheimer's, Dementia, and/or varying mental health and addiction concerns. Visits with clients ideally are conducted in person (although in some matches, a mix of virtual and in person visits may occur), in the comfort of the client's home, hospital or assisted living setting. Volunteers provide social support and companionship, and engage clients in meaningful and stimulating activities of interest. And, as Peel sees increasing age in its residents, the need for these services is both growing and critical.

**DESCRIPTION**

**Our Friendly Visitor Volunteers**:

- Visit clients in their homes or assisted living facilities (or virtually as circumstances dictate, via telephone and/or the Internet)
- MINIMUM 1 hour weekly visit at a mutually agreed upon schedule (visiting times: Mon through Sun: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM)
- Build a supportive relationship through conversation and discussion
- Actively participate in activities which are of interest to the client (e.g. playing cards/games, crafts, sharing recipes or jokes, or reading)
- Complete the Friendly Visiting Weekly Activity Report on a per visit basis by completing the online form to report volunteer hours for mandatory statistical reporting
- Report issues, concerns and all incidents to the Volunteer Coordinator and include the information on the mandatory Friendly Visiting Weekly Activity Reports
- Notify the Volunteer Coordinator of any anticipated extended absences
- Adhere to the vision, mission, and guiding values of the organization and the Friendly Visiting program
- Represent Elder Help Peel in a professional manner at all times
- Arrive on time and be committed to the organization and the agreed upon hours

**BENEFITS**:
Friendly Visiting allows volunteers to gain valuable experience in skills related to helping older residents of Peel, while enhancing their communication skills, resourcefulness, and engagement within their communities. In addition, personal satisfaction that you will make an ongoing, vital difference in the lives of senior residents of Peel region.

**QUALIFICATIONS**:

- Good listening, interpersonal, and communication skills (primarily in English, both verbal and written)
- One or more languages: Arabic, German, Hungarian, Italian, Patois (West Indies/Jamaican), Polish, Romanian, South Asian, Ukrainian, is a most welcome asset
- Available to do weekly one hour visits from Mon through Sun: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Patient, caring, empathetic, and compassionate (able to establish a good rapport with Elder Help Peel clients)
- Ability to accept people as they are and a sincere desire to assist frail, elderly, and/or cognitively impaired seniors
- A sense of humour and sensitivity to cultural, linguistic, and religious diversity
- Respect for and adherence to confidentiality at all times
- Minimum of 6 months commitment (prefer 6-8 months, or more), with a minimum requirement of 1 hour per week
- Reliable access to the internet and devices/software that are suitable for the role (ie. virtual communication, if needed)
- Must complete all required volunteer orientation and training sessions
- A Police Record Check including Vulnerable Sector Check Level 3 screening mandatory for this position, as is Proof of Vaccination

**SCREENING** of applicants will be _virtual, _unless otherwise advised.

**TIME COMMITMENT**:
This is a Long Term (More than 6 months) commitment. Shifts are available on the following days:

- Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays: Morning, Afternoon
- Saturdays, Sundays: Morning, Afternoon

Weekly mutually agreed schedule: Volunteers are expected to devote at least 1 hour per week for this role and visiting takes place from Monday through Sunday, between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM

**TRAINING**:
Training will be provided to all volunteers. (All interviews and trainings are conducted virtually.)

**HOW TO APPLY**:

- Interested individuals are invited to submit a resume as one file.
- Posting will remain open until recruiting completed.

**Job Types**: Part-time, Casual

Schedule:

- Day shift
- Monday to Friday
- Weekend availability