We celebrate National Volunteer Week in Canada from April 10 to April 16, 2016. This is a perfect opportunity to express our appreciation to volunteers across VCH-Vancouver for the 100,000 hours of service each year they provide, and the positive impact they have on the health and wellbeing of our clients, residents and patients.

Next week, and every week, we are so fortunate to have more than 1,300 volunteers fill hundreds of valuable roles supporting so many at health care facilities and in our community at large.

Highlights of volunteer accomplishments this past year include:

• Visited, offered well-wishes, or provided emergency clothing to VGH patients 11,000 times;
• Helped patients and family members in the Emergency Department 50,000 times;
• Assisted visitors to VGH and UBCH with information and way-finding 70,000 times;
• Engaged with new parents and young children during 1,800 sessions at clinics and drop-in groups, helping to ensure a healthy start in life;
• Visited with home health clients 1,800 times in their homes and communities to support their wellness and rehabilitation goals;
• Volunteered at needle exchange clinics where 132,000 needles were given out and 80,000 returned

On behalf VCH-Vancouver’s staff and physicians, we would like to express our appreciation to our volunteers for their time, skills and dedication to providing the best care, and to the staff who support them.

This National Volunteer Week, be sure to reach out and thank our amazing VCH volunteers!

Laura Case and Vivian Eliopoulos

Chief Operating Officers, VCH-Vancouver

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