Out and About: Chaperon/Escort Support Volunteer (Toronto)

Out and About: Chaperon/Escort Support Volunteer (Toronto):

Support seniors’ physical and mental wellbeing by being a chaperon to senior to attend an event, appointment or activity together.

Make a Difference in Your Community

Creating opportunities for more independence; it’s what people in the community rely on us for and what VHA Home HealthCare (VHA) has offered for over 90 years. With over 2,500 health care professionals we serve clients in seven Home and Community Care Support Services areas, in the GTA, London, Ottawa, and Durham. VHA’s Client & Family-centered Care community-based approach provides nursing, rehabilitation, personal support and home support services. Our caring, professional team offers spectacular care to Ontario seniors, families, adults, and children living with disabilities or suffering from a chronic or terminal illness, helping them live life more independently, in comfort and with dignity.

Timeline:Start volunteering, Fall 2023

PurposeTo support a senior to get out and about in the community to attend events, appointments or physical activities; increasing engagement, reducing loneliness and supporting mental health; providing support to the senior’s caregivers.

AREA SERVED & LOCATION: Toronto

AGE REQUIREMENT:Must be 18 years, or older

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Attend scheduled activity(s) with a senior (i.e. theatre, concerts, salon appointment, dog walking, recreational activity, Adult Day Programs, therapy, walks to the park or neighborhood)
• Meet senior at their home at scheduled time
• Travel to and from event together via public transit, taxi, or on foot
• Escort senior home at scheduled time
• Chaperon to and from the activity, appointment or event as a guest
• Engage in supportive, friendly conversation
• Maintain positive relationships with senior
• Care for the safety, privacy and confidentiality of client and client information at all times
• Respect client privacy and adhere to confidentiality, privacy & other policies at all times
• Report to supervisors in a timely manner.
• Is familiar with and is able to follow and implement emergency procedures swiftly and independently

SKILLS, QUALITIES, QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (Listening, oral)
• Able to care for, and experience caring for, vulnerable seniors
• Experience and ease engaging vulnerable people
• Able to engage clients in conversation, and respond easily, creating understanding
• Friendly, caring, reliable, compassionate, empathetic, tactful
• Able to make a commitment, plan, and adhere to set schedule
• Able to volunteer in person, in various public locations, indoors, outdoors, various terrain
• Comfortable traveling throughout Toronto
• Able and willing to follow all policies, procedures and requirements, including but not limited to privacy, confidentiality, infection, prevention and control requirements

• Experience and sensitivity working with culturally diverse individuals and families

• Able and willing to easily receive and follow instructions, policies, procedures and boundaries
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as an effective team member

TIME COMMITTMENT

• Approximately 4 hours/week plus travel time; 1 shift/activity is minimum 4 hours in length
• Days/times to be agreed with volunteer, based on clients’ requested schedule
• Able to commit for minimum of 12 weeks; longer if possible/desired

**(various shifts scheduled during this time)

• 100 Service Hours required for reference letter

WORKING CONDITIONS

• The Volunteer engages client independently, attending a scheduled event in the community on pre-determined day/time/location based on client request and volunteer availability.
• Locations, atmosphere, physical spaces, noise levels will vary depending upon the scheduled activity. Engagements may take place indoors or outdoors and terrain will vary.
• Volunteer reports to and is supported by a coordinator.
• All privacy, confidentiality and other policies must be strictly adhered to at all times
• Volunteers must follow all infection prevention and control requirements at all times and must self-assess for COVID-19 prior to each shift and must continue to self-monitor throughout the volunteer shift. PPE is provided as needed.

BENEFITS

• Practice existing communication, interpersonal, care experience and skills
• Gain work-related, and community healthcare experience
• Build your resume and build upon existing skills
• Build on your communication, and interpersonal skills
• Develop social and professional networks
• Receive support through orientation, training
• Experience an environment where volunteers are engaged, challenged, and rewarded
• Gain opportunities to meet new people; support your community
• Make a difference in clients’ lives with needed support
• Receive reference letter after 100 hours of service
• Ongoing professional training provided

BOUNDARIES

• No clinical activities performed by volunteers
• No personal care given to clients by volunteers
• No exchange of personal contact information (phone, e-mail, addresses, social media, no photographs etc., with clients)
• No client contact, of any kind outside of volunteer shifts as scheduled with VHA
• No giving of gifts, items, or food; Do not accept gifts/money from clients
• Volunteers work within position description, policies, procedures, boundaries, and protocols at all times

ORIENTATION, TRAINING & SUPPORT

• Orientation to the organization
• Role orientation
• Reports to Coordinator on a regular basis
• Coordinator will be available for feedback and support
• Confirms schedule and schedule changes with coordinator in advance of volunteer shifts

SCREENING AND SUPERVISION

• Resume
• Application form with 2 references
• Interview
• Criminal Reference check including Vulnerable Sector Screening
• Signed Policies; Waiver; Release, Agreement; Protocol
• Independent and group learning, in person and online

For more information, contact

Dawn Ashford, BSW, CVA, Supervisor of Volunteer Services, 647-461-9485;www.vha.ca/volunteer

If you require accommodation to participate in the screening process, please let us know.

About VHA Home HealthCareSince 1925, VHA Home HealthCare—a not-for-profit, charity—has empowered Ontarians to create possibilities for more independence.

VHA’s team of over 2,500, supports clients throughout Ontario and we are a founding member agency of United Way Toronto.