The Cumberland Volunteer Program

Cumberland County should be proud to have such a large group of dedicated volunteers distributed throughout its five County hospitals. The Cumberland County Volunteer Program is supported in partnership by the Cumberland Health Care Foundation (CHCF) and the Cumberland Health Authority (CHA). The Volunteer Program in Cumberland County has approximately 130 volunteers in total ranging from as young as 14 to 79 years old who give their time in order to help improve the life of others. A handful of these volunteers have been with the program since it first started back in 2003.

Each year, the Cumberland Health Care Foundation provides $25,000 to the local Health Authority to help maintain an effective volunteer program at all 5 health care sites. Each individual site has specifics roles volunteers can play depending on the needs of the facility and the individual volunteer.

Hospital volunteer program continues to expand

The Cumberland Health Care Foundation is pleased to provide annual funding to the Cumberland Health Authority for it’s county-wide hospital volunteer program.  

Volunteer Statistics
The approximate number of Volunteers, excluding entertainment and clergy, at the end of 2008-09 totaled 123. Approximate total volunteer hours provided for 2008-09, excluding palliative care, equaled 4350 hours.

The following are volunteers by site for year ending February 2009:

Healthcare Facility	Volunteers	Healthcare Facility	Volunteers
All Saints Springhill Hospital (ASSH)	11	ASSH Palliative Care	8
North Cumberland Memorial Hospital	4	Cumberland Mental Health Services	4
South Cumberland Community Care Centre (SCCC)	7	SCCCC Adult Day Care	5
Bayview Memorial Health Centre (BMHC)	12	BMHC MOW	10
BMHC Students	20	Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre (CRHCC         )	41
River Hebert Clinic	1

Your Way to Wellness

Residents of Cumberland County who are living with chronic health problems are being encouraged to sign-up for the Your Way to Wellness self-management program. 

This program is available to people with a chronic health condition or for people who want to better support a loved one who has such an illness - this free program can help those with chronic diseases overcome some of the daily challenges they face. The program teaches people how to cope with their disease by eating healthier, managing symptoms, improving self-confidence as well as managing fear, anger and frustration. Led by trained volunteers, the program runs for 2 ½ hours once a week for six consecutive weeks.

In addition to offering the program at the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre in Amherst, Volunteer Services is currently recruiting volunteer lay leaders to facilitate upcoming programs in different areas of the County. The goal for Volunteer Services is to offer concurrent program throughout Cumberland County within the next year.

Recreational Therapy
Volunteer Services is partnering with the Cumberland Health Authority’s Recreational Therapist to assist with recreational programming for patients on the Restorative Care Unit at All Saints Springhill Hospital and patients on the Medical Unit at the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre.

At All Saints Springhill Hospital volunteers arrive once each week after school and do activities with the patients such as playing the WII, BINGO, crafts and cards. Volunteers also assist with a cooking program on Wednesdays for patients at All Saints.

A very successful Spa Day for patients was recently held on the Medical Unit of CRHCC. Representatives from Mary Kay, with the assistance of volunteers, provided skin care and make up consultations for patients.

Volunteer Opportunities!
If you would like to volunteer or to obtain more information on the Your Way to Wellness program, being a friendly visitor, volunteering at the Information Desk, or any other volunteer programs with the Cumberland Health Authority, please contact Maryanne Jackson at 667-5400, extension 6559.