Volunteering

Learn new skills, meet new friends, and explore different experiences - all in your own community.

Carewest volunteers contribute in a meaningful and significant way to the day- to-day lives of many people in our organization, and our programs continues to grow with new and exciting opportunities for volunteers interested in working in our rehabilitation and recovery programs or with long-term care residents. Please refer to the below list of the different Carewest sites to learn more about what population is best suited to your interests or proximity to work or home.

Age to Volunteer

• 16 years of age or older
• 18 years of age for Palliative Care

Notes about volunteering in Carewest

• Carewest actively promotes the full participation of volunteers with disabilities within the social environment at our centres, however, due to our residents and clients needs, we have minimal volunteer opportunities available for people with developmental disabilities.
  
• Volunteers are required to have the ability to assist with hands-on support and guidance to residents and clients.
• The completion of a Police Security Clearance is required for all new volunteers 18 years and older.

Please see below for an example of some potential volunteer opportunities at each of our sites:

Carewest Colonel Belcher

1939 Veteran's Way NWColonel Belcher accommodates 175 residents with long-term care needs, 135 of whom are veterans. This site also has a Day Support Program.

An example of some 45 different areas available for volunteers to actively participate in is:

• Adult Day Support
• Baking, bingo, breakfast
• Community Outings are available to volunteers who are able to accompany residents on a one-to-one bases on the Handi-Bus to professional appointments or who enjoy going with residents and staff on a Carewest Bus out for a scenic drive, picnic or to a favourite restaurant.
• Ceramics, gift shop, gardening
• History hour, hodge podge
  Ice cream cart, play music or join the rhythm band
• Movie night or nail program
  Painting or serve at our pub
• Spiritual care, talking books, and Teas
• Woodworking

Carewest Dr. Vernon Fanning
722-16 Ave. NE

The Fanning Centre accommodates 144 long-term care residents who are under 65 years of ages. It is also home to 144 transitional and chronic complex care clients. The site has two Day Support Programs.

• Example of some of the 63 different areas available for volunteers to actively participate in is:
• Baking, bingo, bridge, bowling
• Community outings are available to volunteers who are able to accompany residents on a one-to-one bases on the Handi-Bus to professional appointments or who enjoy going with residents and staff on a Carewest Bus out for a scenic drive, picnic or a favourite restaurant.
• Ceramics, choir, computers
• Day Hospital
  Friday flicks
• Ice cream cart, Hairflaire portering, library
• Revenue generating activities: Volunteer Craft Group, Gift Store and Toggery Clothing
• Sing-a-long, spiritual care, trivia
• Visiting, woodworking

Carewest George Boyack
1203 Centre Ave. NE

George Boyack accommodates 221 long-term care residents and cares for seniors with and without dementia.

An example of some of the 48 activities that volunteers can get involved in are:

• Bingo and birthday parties
• Card club, ceramics, games, gardening, gift store
• Community Outings are available to volunteers who are able to accompany residents on a one-to-one bases on the Handi-Bus to professional appointments or who enjoy going with residents and staff on a Carewest Bus out for a scenic drive, picnic or a favourite restaurant.
• Movie night, playing music or sing-a-longs
• Special events or tea parties

Carewest Glenmore Park
6909-14 St. SW

A rehabilitation and recovery centre that offers short-stay and day programs for adults.

Volunteer in our gift shop, day program, visiting clients or assisting on medical appointment outings.

Carewest Royal Park
4222 Sarcee Rd. SW

Caring for 50 long-term care residents in a beautiful setting close to Mount Royal College.

Opportunities include helping with in-house activities, bus outings, hopping, luncheons or trips around town. Also, working in the gift shop or visiting clients.

Carewest Sarcee
3504 Sarcee Road SW

Home to several Carewest programs including the Hospice at Carewest Sarcee, long-term care and short stay rehabilitation programs.

Volunteer opportunities include in-house activities:

• Ceramics
• Special events
• Gardening
• Crafts
• Community bus outings
• Accompanying clients to medical appointments or shopping and lunch.
• Gift Store. We require a large number of volunteers in our gift shop to price, market and merchandise our stock. Join the team at Carewest Sarcee and be a part of an active, lively community of caring where your skills are valued.

Carewest Signal Pointe
6363 Simcoe Blvd. SW

Home to 48 long-term care residents with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

Opportunities to help at Signal Pointe include direct support with the residents, activity support, helping in-house or on a bus outing, and assisting residents and staff in our day program.

Pain and Palliative Care Program
All Carewest sites

This specialized team of trained volunteers provide support to those nearing the end of their lives and others dealing with issues of grief or loss.
You can share your presence and compassion on one of three different ways:

• End-of-life sitting
• One-to-one visits
• Bereavement follow-up

Benefits to Volunteers

• Receive high-calibre certified training that is recognized by all the Alberta Health Services, Calgary Zone Palliative Care Programs
• Gain experience in a specialized field

Touch the lives of others in a meaningful way

For more information or to become a volunteer, please contact:

Debby Clegg
Coordinator
Volunteer Resources
Contact for all sites
Email
403-943-8157

Danielle Epp
Volunteer Coordinator
Pain & Palliative Care
Email
Phone: 403-943-8187

For a complete listing of all Carewest volunteer opportunities, please visit Volunteer Calgary.