I began volunteering with The Salvation Army Toronto Grace Health Centre in June 2013. I started in the summer volunteering program, where I spent two shifts a week on the complex continuing care unit. There, I had the opportunity to assist nurses and staff members with administrative and patient-related tasks, in addition to spending time interacting with patients and getting to know some of them on a more personal level.
I found the summer experience to be an immensely positive; there were many hands-on opportunities to work direct with patients and the Grace was an extremely warm and welcoming environment. This positive experience spurred me to continue my involvement year-round. Since then, I have continued with volunteering on the 4th floor complex continuing care unit, and have also acted as a volunteer trainer for the past 5 years. What makes the Grace such a unique and impactful volunteer experience was the meaningful relationships that I am able to develop with the patients.
At the Grace, the patient experience is central, and the primary focus of patient care unit volunteers is spending time with patients and assisting with their day-to-day tasks, with the overall goal of improving their quality of life. Over the course of several shifts, you really get the opportunity to know the patients you work with and develop a meaningful connection with them.