June 2003

VOLUNTEER PROGRAM - The Cumberland Health Authority and Cumberland Health Care Foundation are teaming up to provide a volunteer services program at each of the county's five health care facilities. Here, Angela Best, coordinator of volunteer services, works on a display located at the front entrance of the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre promoting the new program.

CHA, Cumberland Health Care Foundation Team Up For Volunteer Services Program
Jennifer Dempsey - Amherst Daily News
UPPER NAPPAN - Volunteer, it will make you feel good. That's the logo of a new joint volunteer services program being offered by the Cumberland Health Authority and the Cumberland Health Care Foundation.

Angela Best, coordinator of volunteer services for the CHA, is in the process of establishing the program at all five of the county's health-care facilities including Amherst, Springhill, Parrsboro, Pugwash and Advocate.

Volunteer services is not new to the area but this is the first time it has involved a paid co-ordinator. "Which shows they are quite committed to volunteer programs," added Best, who is a dietician by trade but has been working in the field of health care for the past 15 years.

Her part-time position began June 1, and her first priority at the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre has been to try to muster up enough volunteers to work the information desk. "Right now we have (paid) students working for the summer but they will be gone soon," she explained.

She described the information desk volunteer as a hostess for the hospital because they are the person that greets patients an visitors when they come to the centre. "It's a new facility and many people don't know their way around and it's very reassuring to know that there's someone there to help as soon as you come through the door."

The program will be open to both teens and adults. Teens, ages 14-17, will be responsible for functional tasks around the hospital such as handing out pamphlets and filling water containers.

"Teens volunteer for different reasons. They're usually interested in the health care field and want to get a feel for what it is like. So it is usually career oriented."

Adults, 18 years of age and over, will be involved with different aspects of volunteer services including friendly visiting, working the information desk during school hours when students are not available and meal assist programs.

"Adults usually volunteer because they have either been patients themselves in the pst or have has a family member who was a patient so they can see the benefits of such a program."

"Or sometimes we get people who are new to the area and want to meet people. It's the social aspect." Ideally, volunteers should be willing to work at least three or four hours a week for a minimum of one month. And there's no limit as to how many volunteers are accepted.

"We're very flexible so we can offer something that fits pretty well everyone's schedule." Application forms must be completed by all interested volunteers and there is a very structured screening process. Applicants must also provide two references and adults will be investigated for any sort of criminal record.

"Which we don't mean it to be a deterrent but we want to make sure that we're what you are looking for and that you know what you are getting into and what will be involved."

"Reference checks are pretty well standard policy for many volunteer services in the area these days." After references are checked, successful applicants will undergo a simple interview and provided with a half day of orientation or training. "We'll provide whatever training is necessary."

All volunteers are required to wear a vest and proper identification while on the job. The adult vest is a solid red while the teen version is red and white stripe. "That way patients know who the volunteers are and that they are not health care workers. They're easily recognizable."

And while the program is being piloted at the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre, it won't be long before it will be up and running at the county's other health-care facilities. "I will be setting up meeting with the other site to determine their needs and implement the program there."

Letters have been sent out to many area community service groups in order to make them aware of the program and inquire as to whether they would be interested in developing a partnership. Best is aware that there are probably many service groups that were inadvertently omitted. "But they are welcome to give me a call if they are interested." She can be reached at 667-5400, ext. 6559.

Letters announcing the new program have also been sent to staff and auxiliary members in hopes that either they, or someone they know, will get involved. "We're trying to reach as many people as possible."

The program is intended to compliment existing services and will start with patient units. "We purposely chose to start with the patient units because many people are eager to work directly with patients."

The program has two very distinct goals. The first is to complement services already available and the second is to provide a meaningful opportunity for Cumberland County citizens to contribute to the health care and well being of people in the hospital whether the patients or visitors.

"People often want to give something back to the hospital but don't know how to do it. We hope there will be benefits on both sides."