Volunteer Opportunities

VON Oxford Volunteers Make it Happen!

Our volunteers are the heart and soul of our programs.  They are warm and caring; dependable, patient and trustworthy; good communicators; from all walks of life; and willing to give a gift of their time and talents.

Volunteers are enthusiastically welcomed to support us in any of the following programs:
(click on program to learn more)

Meals on Wheels

Friendly Visiting

Supportive Care Services (Hospice Palliative Care)

Sakura House (Residential Hospice)

Adult Day Program

Foot Care

Board of Directors/Advisory Boards

SMART Exercise Program (Group)

SMART Exercise Program (In–Home)

Cardiovascular Health Awareness Program Blood Pressure Clinics (CHAP)

Flu and Wellness

Other rewarding volunteer opportunities including Administrative  Support  and Fundraising

How to Become a Volunteer with VON Oxford
• Contact the Program Coordinator at 519-539-1231 or 1-888-641-5197  (ask for the program you're interested in) or email adminvonoxford@von.ca  
• Complete a confidential online application form (click on link at top of page) 
• Attend an interview with the Program Coordinator and successfully complete our screening  process
• Participate in training and orientation appropriate to your Volunteer position

When you become a VON Volunteer, we will:
• Match your strengths, interests and available time to a volunteer role that's right for you
• Give you a clear picture of the position requirements and the training to do it well
• Support you in your volunteer role through regular contact
• Provide ongoing educational opportunities to assist you in your role and to introduce you to new opportunities and friends
• Give you the support and appreciation you deserve!

                  Some want it to happen ...
                                    Some wish it to happen ...
                                                  VON volunteers make it happen!

 
Meals on Wheels   
Volunteers not only deliver a well balanced nutritious meal but also provide a brief social contact and ‘check–in’ for individuals who often see no one during the day.  Hot and frozen meals are delivered Monday through Friday around the noon hour in the city of Woodstock, Tuesday and Thursdays in Tavistock and monthly deliveries throughout the county.  If you have 1-1 ½ hours of free time available over the noon hour, please consider joining the Meals on Wheels team by becoming a driver or runner and make a difference to someone in our community.  To learn more contact (519) 539-1231    

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Friendly Visiting
Volunteers in this program have flexibility time wise.  The volunteer can visit at their convenience, choose whether they want to visit with a housebound person in their home, or take their client out for a walk or other outing in the car.  Friendly Visitors and their clients’ usually enjoy a wonderful friendship and feel great because they are really helping a lonely person in a very special way by providing companionship.   Volunteers without a car can be matched with someone within their walking distance.  Volunteering is a good way to keep active and involved in your community.  The Coordinator of the Program works with you to find the right person for you.  Orientation is provided, as well as ongoing support after a match with your client.  To learn more contact (519) 539-1231    

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Supportive Care Services (Hospice Palliative Care)
Being a Hospice /Palliative Care volunteer gives a person the opportunity to work in many different roles with flexible days and times to visit.  A specialized training course is required to prepare you to involve yourself in this program. Our clients are people living with a life altering or terminal illness, at any stage of the illness, as well as newly diagnosed.  We provide support to the individuals as well as their families, in their home, long-term care facilities, and Oxford County Hospitals.  Parts of the duties include providing companionship, respite for caregivers, as well as supportive listening.  You can share in leisure activities, or assist with correspondence.  You may be needed to help with self care and comfort measures.   To learn more contact (519) 539-1231    

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 Sakura House
  Sakura House is a residential hospice that offers 24 hour specialized care to patients with terminal illnesses.  Volunteers will work along side the RN and PSW in the hospice house as an "extra pair of hands" to provide patient and family care and support, bedside respite, spiritual support, greeters, housekeeping, kitchen duties, grounds-keeping etc.  Volunteer shifts are available during the day or evening, weekdays and weekends. Qualifications and training are similar to the Supportive Care Services (Hospice Palliative Care).
 To learn more contact (519) 539-1231    

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Adult Day Program
Adult Day Programs provide a social and stimulating day away from home for seniors, the elderly and people with disabilities.  As a volunteer, we invite you to bring your own special talent/interest to engage our clients OR to help out with existing activities. Many of our current volunteers help out by: playing cards, baking, assisting with craft projects, gardening, providing music or socializing.  We welcome you to join our great team and have fun with us in the Adult Day Program. To learn more contact (519) 539-1231    

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Foot Care
Administrative support - footcare volunteers provide valuable assistance to professional footcare nurses at a clinic location(s) within their community such as senior’s centers, senior’s apartment buildings, long term care facilities and retirement homes. Volunteers greet clients, accept payment, schedule follow-up appointments in consultation with the nurse and client, and provide receipts and other administrative assistance as required.  As a footcare volunteer, you will enjoy the social interaction with people of all ages and backgrounds, and will have the satisfaction of knowing that you are an integral part of the footcare team in our goal of “Keeping Residents of Oxford County on their Feet.”  Volunteering at a community foot clinic can be as little as one time per month for 3-4 hours or more frequently if desired.  To learn more contact (519) 539-1231    

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Board of Directors/Advisory Boards
The contributions of Community Board members are vital to the success of VON - in the local community and across Canada. 
Community Board Directors provide leadership, identify local community needs, and advocate for those needs.  They build partnerships in the community, raise funds, and speak on behalf of VON within the community. Volunteers devote time and energy to ensure the relevance of VON’s programs to community needs and overall vision and mission of VON as a whole.  To learn more contact (519) 539-1231    

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SMART Exercise Program (Group)
To volunteer as a certified fitness instructor, one needs to attend a 36 hour classroom course, co-lead a one hour class for 16 practical hours under the direction of a certified volunteer and attend a CPR training session.  By volunteering in this program, you will improve your own general health in addition to giving you a fun and challenging new activity to enjoy with new friends. Once a part of the SMART team, you will be able to attend the yearly workshops to learn current updates on teaching and new exercises in this growing field of preventative health. All education is provided by the SMART coordinator. Most volunteers lead or co-lead one class per week within their own community.  To learn more contact (519) 539-1231    

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SMART Exercise Program (In–Home)
Each volunteer is required to attend a one day workshop under the direction of the program coordinator. You will learn a series of 10 exercises that have been designed by the Canadian Centre For Activity & Aging to increase functional fitness levels. This program is offered to individuals living in their own home or apartment building. Each volunteer will visit the individual/group on a weekly basis and provide instruction on proper techniques and progress for each exercise as needed.
The SMART volunteer will provide the necessary support and encouragement to an individual who is housebound or has limited access to the community due to physical limitations, transportation problems or cultural barriers. Every volunteer finds this experience a rewarding one by enabling people to live longer and more independently in the comfort of their own home.  To learn more contact (519) 539-1231    

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Cardiovascular Health Awareness Program Blood Pressure Clinics (CHAP)
CHAP aims to increase community and individual awareness of the importance of cardiovascular health.  CHAP promotes a healthy lifestyle, regular BP monitoring and follow-up in order to help prevent stroke and heart disease in our aging population.  As a volunteer peer health educator for the CHAP BP clinics, your role will include greeting participants, filling out appropriate paper work, measuring and recording the participant(s) blood pressure, making recommendations based upon the pre-set protocol and connecting the participant with community health education resources. Volunteers are provided with peer health educator training sessions related to cardiovascular health. As well, a community health nurse is available during clinics to respond to questions and see participants who require reassessment.   To learn more contact (519) 539-1231    

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Flu and Wellness
The flu and wellness program for VON Oxford has volunteer opportunities in the end of October to early December each year.  Volunteers are needed particularly for the larger flu clinics in several factory locations and drug stores.  The longer clinics in drug stores that last up to 8 hours can be split by 2 volunteers.   The nurses who work at the flu clinics with the volunteers feel things are so much more organized and clients can be seen in a more timely manner.  Clinic volunteers greet clients who attend the flu clinic, provide clients with the necessary information and consent forms to complete, and issue the client an immunization card before they leave.  The hours of the clinic are mainly between 9:00 am and 6 pm. Mon.- Fri..  Any assistance that can be provided would be greatly appreciated.  Training for volunteers will be provided prior to the clinic.  To learn more contact (519) 539-1231    

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