Volunteer Services
Core Volunteer Program
The Core Volunteer Program offers adults and post-secondary students the opportunity to volunteer throughout the year. For our Core Volunteer program, a minimum once per week shift is required for a period of at least 4 months. This will ideally be scheduled for the same day and time each week and will range from 2 to 3 hours, depending on the role.
The following are the opportunities in the Core Volunteer Program:
• Recreation Therapy Volunteers Under the direction and supervision of a Recreation Therapist or programmer, the volunteer will provide weekly support during Therapeutic Recreation programs. The volunteer will support residents to participate in a wide range of activities including; music programs, arts and crafts, social interactions, group games, and specialty programs. Escorting residents to programs is a large portion of this role. Wheelchair training and Dementia understanding are an essential training component within this role.
• Adult Day Program Volunteer Adult Day programs provide flexible individualized programming, socialization and companionship with supervision. We offer caregivers a day of respite with confidence and peace of mind. Volunteers assist with delivering therapeutic programs. Minimum 2hr shift once per week for a period of 4 months. Monday to Friday, between 9:30-3pm.
• Community Recreation Program Assistants Volunteering with the various Community Recreation departments involves a socio- emotional connection to the clients. This type of volunteer work often involves facilitating activities, providing support, and creating positive environments. Volunteer roles include: • Program facilitation •. Bartender •. Seeds of Success program assistant •. Cycling Without Age pilot
• Living History Biographer The “Living History Program” is a process for engaging residents to gather and share basic life information. It enables healthcare workers to provide care to the heart and soul of the resident, positively impacting the way we care about and for residents. We have trained volunteers to interview residents and/or families to capture basic life history and turn it into a powerful one-page story. In addition to being a treasured memento for the resident and family, the story is available so all who come into contact with the resident have information to make connections on new and exciting levels. Volunteers commit to a weekly schedule of visitations.
• Physiotherapy Volunteer Volunteers porter residents to and from Physiotherapy appointments and help with department based tasks, scheduled weekly.
• Special Events Volunteers are often used for special events such as New Years Eve parties or holiday events. Most of these volunteers come from current experienced Northwood volunteers.
Northwood Broadcasting Club NWBC
NWBC (Northwood Broadcasting) is Northwood’s Seniors Radio Station, airing 365 days a year!
Northwood Volunteer broadcasters play a variety of music selections ranging from country, classical, swing, and rock.
NWBC began in 1987 and continues to be an important source of information and easy listening music for older adults in the community. NWBC programs reach over 30,000 homes across Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, parts of New Brunswick, and Newfoundland.
Listening is available daily from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Eastlink Television channel 10 or (610 HD).
Contact Volunteers@nwood.ns.ca for more information on this unique volunteer opportunity.
Music and Entertainment
Spiritual Care
Our Spiritual and Pastoral Care team are focused on providing sensitive and respectful care to our diverse community. Spiritual care volunteers provide companionship, compassionate presence, and a connection with the community.
Those who volunteer as Community Clergy facilitate ongoing relationships between residents and their faith communities of origin, or communities of their faith tradition, and provide rituals particular to their tradition. Community Clergy may also choose to participate in the rotation for worship leadership and/or participate in collaborative programs with others.
Pet Therapy
All Pet Therapy volunteers come from an accredited Pet Therapy training program. Most of our volunteer teams are from either St. John’s Ambulance or Therapeutic PAWS of Canada. The dogs and volunteers visit residents on a weekly basis providing physical and emotional benefits through the affection and opportunity to connect with a dog. Pet Therapy volunteers are in high demand at all locations.
After School Youth Program
Student volunteers are an integral part of the volunteer team. Expand knowledge and get involved by volunteering in long-term care and learn leadership experience, learn decision-making skills and augment successful resident programs. Volunteer shifts usually occur after school or on Saturdays. All students must complete 20hrs of volunteer work within the year to qualify for a certificate and a reference. Please apply early as spaces fill quickly.
