Peer volunteer

Role description:

• Provide companionship and meaningful engagement: Peer volunteers support children and siblings by engaging in developmentally appropriate play, learning, and recreational activities. Peer volunteers should be comfortable adapting activities and communication to each child’s unique preferences and abilities.
• Stay under the direct supervision of clinical staff or family volunteers: Peer volunteers remain under the supervision of a staff or family volunteer and are never assigned to care for a child on the Canuck Place program on their own.

Adapt to changing in-house needs: Things can change quickly in-house and every shift looks different depending on which children are around and how they might be feeling. During quieter days, peer volunteers may be asked to assist with additional tasks such as card-writing, light chores/cleaning,or administrative support.

Training

• General training: Peer, kitchen, reception, and garden volunteers are required to attend our 2.5 hour training session covering information such as volunteer policies, information about Canuck Place, and how to create safe spaces for the families we serve.
• Training/Buddy shift: For their first shift, volunteers will be paired with an experienced volunteer who will orient them to the space, routines, and expectations of a typical shift.
• Education sessions: Optional education sessions on special topics (ex. interacting with non-verbal children, working with siblings) are offered to active volunteers throughout the year.

Requirements:

• Must be 16+
• Must successfully complete an interview with a Volunteer Services staff member
• Must complete all onboarding paperwork (signed position description, immunization history form, confidentiality agreement, other forms as required)
• Must successfully pass a Criminal Record Check
• Must provide 1 professional reference

 Schedule:

• Volunteers must maintain an attendance rate of at least two shifts per month for at least one year of service. Please consider your work, school, vacation and other commitments carefully before applying.
• Peer volunteer shifts run 7 days a week at the following times:
  • 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
  • 1 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
  • 4:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
  • 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Click here to apply now!

Role description:

• Provide companionship and meaningful engagement: Family volunteers support children and siblings by engaging in developmentally appropriate play, learning, and recreational activities. Family volunteers should be comfortable adapting activities and communication to each child’s unique preferences and abilities.
• Supervise children independently: Family volunteers may work 1:1 with children on the program and may accompany them to spaces without staff present. This role carries additional responsibility to the Peer role and requires sound judgement and comfort working independently with children with diverse needs.
• Adapt to changing in-house needs: Things can change quickly in-house, and every shift looks different depending on which children are around and how they might be feeling. During quieter days, family volunteers may be asked to assist with additional tasks such as
• Mentor and support peer volunteers: Family volunteers are able to supervise peer volunteers as they engage with children. Family volunteers are considered role models to other volunteers and may be asked to lead a training (buddy) shift for new volunteers to help orient them to the role and hospice environment.

Training

• Family volunteer training: Family volunteers are required to attend our Family Volunteer Training, which takes place over 24 hours. This training is provided for free by some of the top pediatric palliative care providers in the world. Typically, this training is only offered once a year in the fall and takes place over 3-4 days (in person and online)
• Training/Buddy shift: Family volunteers who were not previously peer volunteers will be paired with an experienced volunteer who will orient them to the space, routines, and expectations during their first shift.
• Education sessions: Optional sessions on special topics (e.g., interacting with nonverbal children, working with siblings) are offered to active volunteers throughout the year.

Requirements:

• Must be 18+
• Must successfully complete an interview with 2 Volunteer Services staff members
• Must complete all onboarding paperwork (signed position description, immunization history form, confidentiality agreement, other forms as required)
• Must successfully pass a Criminal Record Check
• Must provide 2 professional references

Schedule:

• Volunteers must maintain an attendance rate of at least two shifts per month for at least one year of service. Please consider your work, school, vacation and other commitments carefully before applying.

• Family volunteer shifts run 7 days a week at the following times:
  • 9  a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
  • 1 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
  • 4:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
  • 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Click here to apply now!

Reception Volunteer

• Welcome visitors: Reception volunteers serve as the first point of contact for families and visitors to the hospice and help create a supportive, home-like environment for everyone who enters.
• Answer phones and manage the door: Reception volunteers answer incoming calls, direct inquiries to appropriate staff members, and greet guests at the front door.
• Receive, sort and send out mail: Reception volunteers help sort incoming mail and may be asked to help prepare packages to be sent out.
• Assist with other administrative tasks: Volunteers may be asked to support with various administrative duties such as card-writing, sorting, or preparing materials for upcoming events.

Training

• General training: Peer, kitchen, reception, and garden volunteers are required to attend our 2.5 hour training session covering information such as volunteer policies, information about Canuck Place, and how to create safe spaces for the families we serve.
• Training/Buddy shift: Volunteers will have a short training session with our receptionist, then have the option to complete their first shift alonside another reception volunteer.
• Education sessions: Optional education sessions on special topics (ex. interacting with non-verbal children, working with siblings) are offered to active volunteers throughout the year.

Requirements:

• Must be 16+
• Must successfully complete an interview with a Volunteer Services staff member
• Must complete all onboarding paperwork (signed position description, immunization history form, confidentiality agreement, and other forms as required)
• Must successfully pass a Criminal Record Check
• Must provide 1 professional reference

 Schedule:

• Volunteers must maintain an attendance rate of at least two shifts per month for at least one year of service. Please consider your work, school, vacation and other commitments carefully before applying.
• Reception volunteer shifts at the following times:
  • Glen Brae (Vancouver Hospice):
    • Weekdays: 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. (occasional daytime weekday availability)
    • Saturdays, Sundays & Stats: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., 1 p.m. – 4 p.m., 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
  • Dave Lede House (Abbotsford Hospice):
    • Fridays & Stats: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. (occasional availability on other weekdays)
    • Saturdays & Sundays: 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Click here to apply now!

Role Description:

• Support the kitchen team: Kitchen volunteers work alongside our staff to help bake our famous cookies, assist with meal preparation and maintain cleanliness in the kitchen and dining room.
• Assist with the buffet line: Kitchen Volunteers help create a warm, home‑like dining experience by greeting families, staff, volunteers, and guests. They support with buffet setup, service flow, and tidying as needed.

Training:

• General training: Peer, kitchen, reception, and garden volunteers are required to attend our 2.5-hour training session, which covers volunteer policies, information about Canuck Place, and how to create safe spaces for the families we serve.
• Training/buddy shift: For their first shift, volunteers will be paired with an experienced volunteer or staff member who will orient them to the space, routines, and expectations of a typical shift.
• Education sessions: Optional education sessions on special topics (e.g., interacting with non-verbal children, working with siblings) are offered to active volunteers throughout the year.

Requirements:

• Must be 16+
• Must successfully complete an interview with a Volunteer Services staff member
• Must complete all onboarding paperwork (signed position description, immunization history form, confidentiality agreement, and other forms as required)
• Must successfully pass a Criminal Record Check
• Must provide 1 professional reference
• Must have a valid FoodSafe Level 1 certificate (course cost covered by Canuck Place if obtained after successful interview)
• Must provide documentation of Hepatitis A vaccination

 Schedule:

• Volunteers must maintain an attendance rate of at least two shifts per month for at least one year of service. Please consider your work, school, vacation and other commitments carefully before applying.
• Kitchen volunteer shifts run 7 days a week at the following times:

• Glen Brae (Vancouver Hospice):
  • 10:30 a.m.. – 1:30 p.m..
  • 3:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. (Monday – Saturday)
• Dave Lede House (Abbotsford Hospice):
  • 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
  • 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. (Monday – Friday)

Click here to apply now!

Role description

• Assist in maintaining the Glen Brae gardens: Garden volunteers work alongside our groundskeeping staff to plant, weed, and prune the garden and greenhouse. They are encouraged to offer creative input where possible to help beautify our outdoor space.
• Perform general maintenance tasks: Garden volunteers may be asked to assist with general grounds maintenance such as cleaning outdoor play areas, maintaining bird feeders, and caring for our lawn.
• Work outdoors in various conditions: Volunteers should feel comfortable performing physical tasks and working outside in any weather conditions.

Training:

• General training: Peer, kitchen, and garden volunteers are required to attend our 2.5 hour training session covering information such as volunteer policies, information about Canuck Place, and how to create safe spaces for the families we serve.
• Training/buddy shift: Volunteers will have thier first garden shift with our groundskeeper, alongside a group of fellow garden volunteers.
• Education sessions: Optional education sessions on special topics (e.g. interacting with non-verbal children, working with siblings) are offered throughout the year.

Requirements:

• Must be 16+
• Must successfully complete an interview with a Volunteer Services staff member
• Must complete all onboarding paperwork (signed position description, immunization history form, confidentiality agreement, and other forms as required)
• Must successfully pass a Criminal Record Check
• Must provide 1 professional reference

Schedule:

• Volunteers must maintain an attendance rate of at least two shifts per month for at least one garden season (April – October). Please consider your work, school, vacation and other commitments carefully before applying.
• Garden volunteer shifts run from April – October every second Saturday at Glen Brae from      10 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Click here to apply now!

Role description:

• Support with events: Represent Canuck Place at various events such as galas, golf tournaments, and other fundraisers. Duties vary depending on the event.

Training:

• Attend any event-specific oritentation (varies with event)

Requirements:

• Must be 16+
• Must sign position description
• Optional: please note that some in-hospice event roles require a criminal record check and signed confidentiality agreement

 Schedule:

• Event dates and times vary per year, ranging from a few hours to full day events.
• Volunteers must maintain an attendance rate of at least two events per calendar year.

 Click here to apply now!