Volunteering

Volunteering is a work of heart

Canuck Place volunteer Canuck Place volunteer

Volunteer at Canuck Place

As a Canuck Place volunteer, you help families create lasting memories. Volunteers are the backbone of our organization. Without this dedicated group, we couldn’t provide the exceptional care and comfort families count on.

As a Canuck Place volunteer, you can support us in a range of ways. From baking cookies to helping a child with a craft project, you can ensure short lives are lived to the fullest.

we are actively recruiting volunteers at both vancouver and abbotsford hospices!

If you are interested in a regular, in-house role and can commit to a minimum of two shifts per month for one year of service, apply here. If you want to support Canuck Place but are unable to commit to a regular volunteer role at this time, you can apply to become a Special Events Volunteer.

Volunteer Requirements regardless of role:
  • 2 doses of COVID-19 Vaccination
  • Criminal Record Check
  • Must be at minimum 16 years old to apply to any volunteer role

apply to be a volunteer today!

Canuck Place garden volunteer

Garden Volunteers

  • Lovingly maintain our grounds and beautiful gardens—places of joy and tranquility for children and families while in hospice
  • Must be able to manage light to moderate physical labour—year-round and in all types of weather

Garden Volunteer shifts are every other Saturday at Canuck Place Vancouver – Glen Brae from 10 am. to approximately 3 p.m. (Approximately 3–4 hour shifts) 

Canuck place volunteer

Family Volunteers

  • Work alongside the clinical care team to enhance the quality of life of a child with a progressive, life-threatening condition, and support their family
  • Keep children company during activities: in the school room, working with arts and crafts, and on community outings. They provide general support for the child and family
  • Provide mentorship, guidance, and support to newer volunteers
  • Must complete a Canuck Place 25-hour training program (offered once a year), and then commit for a minimum of 1 year of weekly or bi-weekly shifts

Family Volunteer shifts are available morning, afternoon, and evenings, seven days a week. (Approximately 3–4 hour shifts) 

Canuck Place volunteer with Canuck Place child

Peer Volunteers

  • Support Family Volunteers and our professional care teams
  • Provide general companionship to children by reading aloud, doing arts and crafts, playing computer games, etc.
  • Work closely with the siblings of in-house children
  • Assist clinical staff in running errands
  • Must complete a 4-hour Canuck Place training program, and then commit for a minimum of 1 year of weekly or bi-weekly shifts

Peer Volunteer shifts are available morning, afternoon, and evenings, seven days a week. (Approximately 3–4 hour shifts) 

A woman wearing a name tag as 'Sarah', prepares a large bowl of colorful salad in a professional kitchen. She is dressed in a striped apron over a white turtleneck, smiling while tossing the salad with tongs. The kitchen is well-equipped, with stainless steel appliances and various kitchen utensils hanging overhead.

Kitchen Volunteers

  • Play a huge part in creating and maintaining a warm and welcoming place that provides families with the comforts of home
  • Provide support to kitchen staff by assisting with baking, meal preparation, and clean-up of kitchen and dining room areas
  • Must have Food Safe Level I Certification and a current Hepatitis A Vaccination

Kitchen Volunteer shifts vary depending on the need but are typically between 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. seven days a week. (Approximately 3–4 hour shifts) 

Canuck Place office reception volunteer

Office Reception Volunteers

  • Provide a pleasant, articulate first contact for guests, visitors, and callers to Canuck Place
  • Perform office support as needed
  • Assist the full-time receptionist with reception and switchboard duties during evenings and weekends.

Reception Volunteer shifts are Monday-Friday, 5-8 p.m.; Saturday, Sunday, Stat Holidays, 9 a.m.-12 p.m., 1 p.m.-4 p.m., 5 p.m.-8 p.m. and on an as needed basis during weekdays. (Approximately 3–4 hour shifts) 

Canuck Place volunteers at the Gift of Time gala

Special Event Volunteer

Special Event Volunteers play a crucial role in helping us organize and execute various special events and fundraisers. Specific responsibilities vary depending on the nature of the event. Time commitment varies depending on the event

Housekeeping Volunteers

  • Support the Housekeeping team by assisting with various light cleaning tasks to ensure a high standard of infection, prevention, and control

Housekeeping Volunteer shifts can vary, but are typically morning and afternoons on weekdays. (Approximately 3–4 hour shifts) 

volunteer vancouver

Maintenance Volunteers

  • Provide support to the Grounds and Maintenance team by assisting with various projects around the hospice

Maintenance shifts vary according to need. (Approximately 3–4 hour shifts) 

Have questions?

Volunteering with Canuck Place has been the best decision I have ever made. I am so grateful to get to be a part of such an amazing organization.

Kendall

Peer Volunteer

My favourite thing about volunteering in the garden is being part of a group who work to create an outdoor space that is safe, welcoming, comforting, cheerful, and fun.

Val

Garden Volunteer

Volunteering at Canuck Place is a way for me to give back to my community, spend time with children—give them care and attention and hopefully a good time.

Bev

Family Volunteer

I am privileged to be a part of a wonderful team of caring people. This team impacts the lives of the kids and families we serve in a deep and meaningful way.

Bruce

Family and Bereavement Volunteer

How can you help?

There are so many ways to give. You can support complex care for children with life-threatening illnesses and families in BC and the Yukon. With your help, Canuck Place will support them in living the end of life as fully as the beginning.

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