Hoarding Support Volunteer (Mental Health)

Hoarding Support Volunteer (Mental Health, Motivational Interviewing

(Weekdays only, 9am-4pm)

*Must be able to travel to Toronto, such as Scarborough*

Make a Difference in Your Community

VHA Home HealthCare (VHA) believes that quality care begins with quality people. Our volunteers work directly with our clients and make a difference in people’s lives every day. We’re looking for volunteers who share and enhance VHA’s values of:

• Client and family focused care
• A co-operative and collaborative work environment
• Continuous quality improvement
• Advocacy for our clients and their families

Purpose: Help to increase overall health and wellbeing and improve quality of life of our clients in the Volunteer Hoarding Support Program. The program is designed to help vulnerable, isolated individuals with hoarding tendencies de-clutter, sort and organize their homes. Developed from a harm reduction approach, we provide clients with opportunities that help improve their social, physical, mental and emotional health.

AREA SERVED: Toronto, North York, East York, Scarborough, Etobicoke

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS

• Assist clients to de-clutter and organize their living space
• Assist clients to let go and discard items
• Assist clients to establish realistic and client-driven goals for organization, maintenance, and safe living

Other responsibilities

• Work with clients at their own pace, while maintaining clear goals
• Foster and establish appropriate use of cleared living spaces
• Be attentive to clients emotional state
• Submit Volunteer Log to the Supervisor after each visit
• Report concerns immediately to the Program Supervisor
• Maintain confidentiality of client information
• Notify the Supervisor as soon as possible if unable to volunteer on an assigned date
• Attend monthly support meeting.

TIME COMMITTMENT

• 3 hours plus travel time weekly
• 12 weekly visits make one volunteer assignment
• Visits happen during weekday hours between 9-5pm
• 6 - 12 months.

AGE REQUIREMENT Minimum be 18 years-old

QUALIFICATION

• Good active listening and oral communication skills to work one on one with client in client’s home
• Motivated and patient
• Interested in mental health issues and compulsive hoarding
• Comfortable working with a client in their home
• Friendly, reliable, responsible, non-judgmental and non-discriminating
• Able to act independently within the boundaries of the position description and client needs and goals
• Creativity in planning and implementing activities
• Knowledgeable of available community resources (For example: local dumpsters, community health centres, donation drop-off facilities etc.)
• Experience working in the mental health field an asset.

BENEFITS

• Receive excellent training provided by VHA’s regulated professionals
• Develop skill sets in working in mental health
• Personal growth and professional development
• Resume building
• Make an impact
• Reference letter given after fulfillment of commitment.

ORIENTATION AND TRAINING

• Orientation training by VHA regulated professional
• Monthly Volunteer Support Meeting with training component.

SCREENING AND SUPERVISION

• Application form with 2 references
• Interview
• Signed Volunteer and Confidentiality Agreements
• Clear Criminal Reference check and Vulnerable Sector Screening check
• Report to supervisor on a weekly basis and submit weekly log
• Supervisor will be available for feedback and support

For more information, to apply:

Roxana Condo - Program Assistant, Volunteers

437-350-8707 or apply online at www.vha.ca

About VHA Home HealthCare

Since 1925, VHA Home HealthCare—a not-for-profit, charity—has empowered Ontarians to create possibilities for more independence. VHA’s team of over 2,000 support clients in throughout Ontario and are a founding member agency of United Way Toronto.