Task Summary:
A friendly visit creates lasting, meaningful relationships between
seniors and volunteers. With regular visits, isolated seniors experience
improved physical, mental and emotional health and gain a more positive
outlook.
No clinical care is required. Your role as a friendly visitor volunteer would be to provide friendship, support and stimulation in the lives of isolated seniors.
This position requires a weekly or bi-weekly commitment. Visits are typically 1 – 2 hours in length.
Qualifications:
· Obtain and maintain a successful clearance of a criminal record check (cost covered by CCS) and provide satisfactory references
· Excellent communication skills demonstrating empathy.
· Be flexible-- your volunteer hours will be negotiated with the senior directly, in order to decide on a mutually convenient time and location for meeting.
· Be a reliable self-starter who prefers minimal supervision
· This position requires an ability to work with people from a wide variety of life
situations. Must be non-judgmental & respect confidentiality.
· Friendly visits with seniors are tailored to individual needs of both parties (the client and the volunteer). Some visits may include: sharing coffee or tea, sharing and teaching hobbies to seniors, provide help with reading, organizing, walking and assisting with errands. Volunteers do not drive clients and you can request to be matched to a senior who lives in your area.
· Experience with seniors is an asset.
· Have a desire to talk, listen and socialize with clients
*An ability to communicate in a second language is an asset, but not mandatory.
