“The pandemic has brought me closer to the stories of other volunteers in ways I never thought possible. The connection created goes beyond background and experience. It's a wonderful sense of community.”
“I started my Fraser Health volunteer journey as a recreational programs volunteer at Fellburn Care Centre. I later moved to Burnaby Hospital and took on a wayfinder role until March 2020.
When the pandemic hit, I decided to take time away from volunteering on site to help protect vulnerable family members. I still wanted to contribute my time and to be of help to the hospital. I inquired about ways to contribute virtually. My role as a weekly call volunteer began.
A call volunteer is responsible for keeping off-site volunteers connected and up-to-date with Fraser Health-related news and relaying any questions or concerns they might have to the volunteer coordinator.
I’ve enjoyed reaching out and supporting other volunteers. These connections have given me great insight into the vast variety of skills and talents our dedicated volunteers have.
The more I talked to other volunteers, the more I realized just how unique the many paths to volunteering are. The areas of our contributions are vast. One volunteer said they have been volunteering at Burnaby Hospital for decades; another has been involved with Fellburn Care Centre for several years.
Prior to these volunteer posts, these individuals have worn a variety of caps. Whether they are a business owner, a sibling, a grandparent or a pet owner – they all have the heart to make a difference to others. It's a beautiful diversity of experiences. I’ve been inspired to hear stories from fellow volunteers.
It’s been over a year since I became an off-site volunteer. Supporting others at this time and keeping the more vulnerable players in our community updated on what's happening on site has been a very rewarding experience.
The pandemic has brought me closer to the stories of other volunteers in ways I never thought possible. I cannot recommend volunteering enough. The connection created goes beyond background and experience. It's a wonderful sense of community."