Three cheers for our volunteers!

In VCH Richmond and, in fact, across Vancouver Coastal Health volunteers contribute thousands of hours each year to improve the lives of our patients, residents and clients. Starting this Sunday, from April 10 to 16, these contributions will be honoured in celebration of National Volunteer Week.

Volunteers spend countless hours in the hospital’s Gift Shop.

A 50 year tradition in Richmond

The Richmond Hospital/Health Care Auxiliary planted the seeds fifty years ago with a loyal group of volunteers.  Today, with assistance from Volunteer Resources, that number has blossomed to more than 750 volunteers (speaking 24 languages), providing 60,000 hours annually to support patients, residents and clients in Richmond acute, residential care facilities, and in the community.

Volunteers assist in surgical daycare.

 “’Volunteers are the Roots of Strong Communities’ is the theme chosen this year by Volunteer Canada,” said Patti Etkin, manager, Volunteer Resources. “It is certainly an appropriate message for the many ways our volunteers help grow the positive image of our communities of care and the services we strive to provide.”

Doing what they do so well

The impact of volunteers can be felt across VCH Richmond. For instance:

• 80 navigating/way-finder volunteers assist 40,000 visitors to Richmond Hospital annually, answering questions and directing them to various hospital locations.
• 170 residential care volunteers at Minoru and Lions Manor provide 6,000 hours of interactions, enhancing the physical and mental well-being of residents.
• 35 volunteers provide 170 hours of person-power to community flu and high school immunization clinics in various Richmond facilities and schools, assisting with flow and ensuring the necessary paper work was completed.
  

  Volunteers ensure patients and visitors can find their way around Richmond Hospital.

• 165 volunteers staff the Auxiliary Thrift shop, Gift Shop, lottery booth and Tuck Shop.
• More than 30,000 volunteer hours contribute to the financial support the auxiliary provides to VCH Richmond programs and services.
• 11 volunteers have made more than 3,000 calls in 5 months to remind patients of their medical imaging appointments, ensuring attendance and necessary replacement appointments.
• 85 Emergency Department volunteers provide 3,500 hours offering helpful, friendly interactions with department visitors while they await treatment.

A crucial part of our care-giving team

“These are but a few examples of the variety and scope of our current volunteer roles that exist with the goal of providing meaningful experiences for volunteers while resulting in creation of a  friendly and effective delivery of health care services,” said Terry Krahn, co-ordinator, Volunteer Resources.

Volunteers place appointment reminder calls to medical imaging patients.

We would like to offer special thanks and congratulations to each and every VCH Richmond/Auxiliary volunteer during this week as an acknowledgement of their collective contributions.