Volunteering in Sarnia-Lambton

VOLUNTEERING: A Great Way To Grow

Group Visiting Leader

You can live in a building with lots of other people around and still be very lonely and isolated.  A team of two group visiting leaders go into a building where a lot of seniors live and lead scheduled times of guided discussion.  The aim is to assist them in getting to know one another and build friendships with those around them.

Volunteer Visitor

It’s been a lonely couple of years for many people but especially our senior population.  It’s finally time to start visiting again!  Would you be willing to visit a lonely and isolated senior on a weekly basis?  Right now you can only visit them in their home but as restrictions lesson you can take them out to help with errands, go for a drive, or have a cuppa joe.  Our clients have lived productive lives but now find themselves alone and staring at the walls, unable to get out without a friend.  They have much to offer someone who takes time to listen!

Train Your Brain site volunteers (including teens needing OSSD hours)

Literacy Lambton is always looking for our next team of Train Your Brain site volunteers.

This program is offered in eight-week sessions.
Fall (October-November), Winter (mid-January- March Break), and Spring (post-March break- May long weekend)
It happens one night per week from 6-7:30pm.
Usually Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday nights at various sites that rotate around Lambton County

What will you do?

Your mission: to up the fun and help our young brainiacs to flex their math & reading muscle and gain a confident approach to learning

You will support the program’s Head Coach in a number of ways:

– program set up or tear down and activity preparation
– facilitating drop off/pick up time by welcoming or sending off participants
– working one-to-one or in small groups with children playing games, reading, doing physical activities that reinforce the math and reading skills they are learning in school

Interested?

Apply at www.literacylambton.org/volunteer

Telephone Visitor

We provide telephone visits to individuals who are waiting for a volunteer visitor to come to their home weekly.  Volunteers simply call to have a chat and keep in touch.  Calls may vary from 5-30 minutes depending on the individuals and situation.  Telephone visitors call at least twice a month but if the client is lonely they may call as often as twice a week.  Volunteers may choose to have from one to six clients on their call list and call the same people each month to establish  a relationship.

SMART In-Home Exercise Volunteer

Many seniors are not able to get out of their home to exercise or attend fitness classes.  SMART volunteers visit a senior in their home once a week for twelve weeks to complete a simple exercise routine of set stretches and exercises that have been designed to prevent falls.  There is no floor work or exercises with weights.  Clients are expected to complete the exercise regime at least once on their own between visits.  By the end of the twelve weeks clients have established an exercise routine that they can accomplish independently and safely!

Member of Foundation Board of Directors

Members of the Foundation Board provide strategic leadership to VON by committing to excellence in advocacy and supporting VON to achieve its important vision and mission.  Board members oversee the VON Foundation, participate in fund-raising events and work to increase the visibility and knowledge of VON in the community.

Caregiver Respite Visitor

Whether caring for a loved one who has dementia or another medical condition, caregivers often hesitate or simply cannot leave their loved ones alone.  Our respite visitors visit the home once a week to provide a couple of hours of respite so the caregiver can freely get out to do whatever will re-energize them!  Volunteers do not provide medical care but are watchful eyes and ears to summon help if needed.  Depending on the health status of the client they may stay in and visit, play cards, go for a walk, do some shopping, have coffee or even take a trip to the bridge!

Volunteer Crisis Responder

Victim Services of Sarnia Lambton is a non-profit organization that provides to support to victims following a crime or tragic circumstance. The Volunteer Crisis Responders will provide immediate on-scene emotional and/or practical support. Volunteer Crisis Responders are needed for weekdays, weeknights, and weekends. Training is provided. Please visit www.victimservices.on.ca to fill out an online application.

Volunteer Crisis Responders Needed

Victim Services of Sarnia Lambton is a non-profit organization that provides immediate emotional and practical support to victims of crime or tragic circumstance. Crisis Responders are needed for weekdays, weeknights, and weekends. Training is provided. Please visit www.victimservices.on.ca to fill out the online application.

Volunteer Transportation

Transport clients to medical appointments, social engagements, and to do shopping/errands.  A mileage reimbursement is offered. 

REWARDS!

As a volunteer in this program you will be providing a needed service and assistance to clients that otherwise would not likely get out. You will have conversation and a feeling of giving back.

Volunteers use their personal vehicle to transport clients, and are reimbursed:  mileage is calculated as a return trip from the client’s home to their destination and back.

Requirements: 

  • Valid ‘G’ license held for minimum of 2 years
  • Clean driving record, driver’s abstract required
  • Satisfactory criminal record check