Volunteer
When you volunteer, you have the opportunity to make a genuine difference in the lives
of others and to feel connected to those you are helping in the community.
What do I gain from volunteering?
Make a positive difference
Improve self esteem and confidence
Share talents and abilities
Learn new skills
Create new friendships
Give something back
Qualities of a great hospital volunteer
- Exceptional people skills
- Warm and welcoming personality
- Positive outlook and diplomatic
- Respect for confidentiality
- Clear understanding of privacy issues
- Reliable, punctual and organized
Qualities of a great hospital auxiliary
- Ensure volunteers are treated with the utmost respect.
- Provide an open and welcoming environment free of judgement,
- discrimination, or personal biases.
F.A.Q
How often would I be expected to volunteer?
You can volunteer as often as you like but generally, we suggest volunteers start with one shift per week, which can range from 2 to 4 hours, whatever you’re comfortable with. Volunteers are given a schedule and work on the same day at the same time from week to week.
When can Youth Volunteers apply?
The hospital is a great environment for students 16 and older to earn their community hours. The volunteer role will provide students with life-skills and knowledge to add-on their resume. The experience will introduce students to the health care system and all the career opportunities available. Volunteer experience demonstrates passion, initiative and commitment and are qualities many employers appreciate!
What are the requirements to become a volunteer?
There are a few requirements including a TB Test (done at the hospital) and a Police Check that must be completed before your first shift at the hospital. And you must become a member of the Belleville General Hospital Auxiliary ($5 membership). There is a brief application process following which you will be contacted for an interview by Jay Moxness, Quinte Health’s Volunteer Coordinator to chat over where you might like to volunteer and what kind of time commitment you’re thinking of.
How do I start?
Stop into the Volunteer Office anytime between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. to pick-up an application and begin the process. You can also call Volunteer Coordinator, Jay Moxness at 613-969-7400, Ext.3376 or e-mail jmoxness@qhc.on.ca
What if I have to miss a shift?
The Auxiliary has a team of volunteers who work in a variety of programs and departments and if you have to miss a shift one of the other volunteers in your program will cover the shift.
I go away for the summer/winter, is that a problem?
Many of our volunteers take the summer off or go away for a couple of months in the winter. Our Volunteer Coordinator along with the Convenor of the program you’re volunteering in will fill your absence in the summer with students looking for placements within the hospital and in the winter, adjust schedules to accommodate volunteers need for time off.
I have always wanted to serve on a Board, is that possible?
The Auxiliary Executive is renewed every two years. There is a succession plan that has worked well over the course of the history of the Auxiliary where two Members-at-Large are part of the greater Board. They are tasked with observing how the Board operates and getting involved as Convenors or volunteers at various levels of the organization. Following their term, they may move on to become voting officers of the organization, should they choose a portfolio they’re interested in. We rely on renewal and welcome individuals with a variety of competencies to make us stronger and relevant to the needs of our hospital and our community.
I’m nervous about coming to the hospital because of seasonal flu and Covid.
We completely understand your concerns. Quinte Health incorporates the latest Public Health Protocols and in fact are leaders in keeping our patients, staff, visitors and volunteers safe by ensuring masking in patient facing sites when required and strong infection control cleaning protocols throughout the year. Departments would close to both visitors and volunteers should an outbreak occur. Masks and hand sanitizer are placed throughout the hospital for ease of use.
I’d like to help out in the Emergency Department, what would I have to do?
The Emergency Department is one of the busiest services at BGH. Volunteers are ambassadors, greeting patients as they arrive and organizing them so that patients are triaged in the order in which they come into the hospital. The ED ambassadors are often tasked with going into the unit to report back to family members wondering how their loved one is doing – doing so assists the nursing staff who would have to take time from their work to respond to these queries.
I’ve noticed volunteers at the hospital’s Main Entrance, what are they doing?
As hospitals have expanded over decades, they’ve added wings to support growing populations and connected those wings to existing buildings through a series of hallways reaching out in every direction. Our hospital is no exception. Our Information Services Volunteers direct patients to the areas of the hospital where they are scheduled for care. Volunteers in this service like to think their station is the first point of care for patients so ensure they’re friendly, patient and as helpful as possible when they’re interacting with patients and their families.
Do you need help with Fundraising Events?
The Auxiliary hosts a couple of fundraising events each year – currently, a musical evening and a Christmas Bazaar. We also sell peel off tickets through what we call the HELPP Lottery. Each of these activities requires volunteer assistance. Activities like baking, securing raffle or auction items or selling the peel off tickets within the hospital are all areas where volunteer assistance is appreciated.
I’m new to Belleville and I’d like to meet new people.
Joining the Auxiliary and volunteering is a great way to meet people and get involved in your community. The hospital is central to all our residents and during the course of your volunteer activities you will meet other volunteers and interact with patients and their families.
Would I have to attend meetings?
There are four special meetings a year, luncheons, which for a small fee all our volunteers may choose to attend. These lunches update the General Membership about all that the Auxiliary is doing in the hospital and note any special circumstances which may require a vote from the General Membership – things like voting in the new Executive every two years. Attending the luncheons is optional but going to them is a great way to meet new friends and socialize with people who want to make a difference in their community.
Testimonials
Volunteers are the silent heroes (Excerpt)
The Intelligencer; Brenda Snider VIQ; March 30, 2022
Volunteers are often the silent heroes, greeting people, answering questions, providing direction or sometimes offering that comforting smile. Volunteering is something many people do for a variety of reasons such as trying something new, sharing talents and abilities, learning new skills, building their resume, meeting people, making a difference in their community or giving back.
Record number of volunteers stepping up during pandemic (Excerpt)
The Community Press, Brenda Snider VIQ; February 3, 2022
Agencies have had to adapt to the ever-changing requirements as many senior volunteers exited their positions due to health and safety concerns and have not returned. The upside to this pandemic is we are seeing record numbers of youth and individuals between the age of 30 to 54 entering the volunteer world. Many want to get involved, make a difference and obtain social interaction.
The Women’s Hospital Auxiliary was organized April 28, 1938, at a meeting held in the City Hall Council Chambers by a Private Member’s Bill, passed in the Provincial Legislature. In 1955, the Women’s Hospital Auxiliary was granted representation on the Belleville General Hospital Board of Governors.