Volunteer Services & Opportunities

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Connecting Our Community With Volunteer Opportunities & Services

It makes our day when we can connect people in our community with volunteer help – not to mention connecting volunteers with satisfying opportunities to help people!

To find out more about the following volunteer opportunities and services, please call 778-426-8767  or email volunteer@beaconcs.ca

Apply to volunteer with Beacon Community Services’ Team

We also offer opportunities for youth to gain experience through volunteering. For more information visit the Employment Services and Training Supports program page.

Here are some of the volunteer services we can connect you with:

• Advocacy Services

  Calm, knowledgeable volunteers help members of our community research and navigate challenging situations. Assistance might include help filling out forms to access government or community services, suggesting ways to reduce financial debt, or linking people to other agencies or supports that are appropriate to their particular situation.

• Assisted Living & Dementia Care helpers - brightening a resident's day

  Friendly, caring volunteers brighten up Beacon’s Assisted Living and Licensed Care Homes by sharing their musical talents, helping residents with crafts or other activities, playing games, assisting with pet therapy, taking a short walk, and a variety of other activities.

   

   

• Family & Friends Caregiver Support Program - a helping hand to those who care for a loved one

  Family caregivers are a vital part of the health care team and their health is just as important as that of the person they are looking after! But over 60% who care for a family member/friend don’t recognize themselves as caregivers; they miss out on valuable supports and connecting with others in similar circumstances. If you’re a friendly, caring person consider joining this program and make a world of difference.

  We connect you with many resources such as Family Caregivers of BC.

  We equip you with training and information to help prepare you for this important role.

  Monthly events are approximately 2 hours.

• Children’s Services

  Caring, energetic volunteers assist clients with children through some of Beacon Community Services’ Child, Youth & Family programs. There’s a long list of programs to choose from!

  You might apply your skills and talents to supporting our Peninsula or Saltspring Island Babies programs or the Peninsula Connections for Early Childhood committee, helping families while they stay at Jeneece Place (a home away from home for families with ill children)… and more!

• Computer Lab Support

  Volunteers help seniors learn to use their laptop, tablet, or other computer devices. Please call 250-656-5537 to book your personal appointment.

   

   

• Drive Desk Intake & Scheduler - helping people gain access to medical appointments

  Pairing a volunteer driver with a patient and enabling them to get to their medical appointment. Scheduling requires good organization skills and a pleasant phone personality. Some basic computer skills are also required.

   

   

   

   

• Gardeners & Handy People - lending a helping hand

  Volunteers share their skills and talents to complete light gardening tasks such as mowing and weeding, or small home repairs for those who can’t afford professional services. Clients cover the cost of supplies but the labour is free.

• Income Tax Preparation - helping people access benefits and rebates

  Volunteers are trained through the Canada Revenue Agency’s volunteer tax program so they can prepare simple tax returns for those on a limited income. Among many other benefits, this service often results in people in need being able to access credits and financial assistance they might otherwise miss out on.

  Tax intakes are completed from March to May each year.

   

   

• Medical Drives - access to health care is a team effort

  Support the “age in place” advantage by driving seniors to medical appointments. Meet your neighbours and get to know your community while fostering independence and improving quality of life. Trips are tailored to your schedule and mileage is reimbursed.

   

   

• Reassurance Phone Calls - because a friendly voice can make someone's day

  Volunteers offer a friendly voice at the end of the line. This service provides members of the community with regular contact and a valuable check in on their safety.
  

• Reception / Information & Referral Services

  Friendly, organized volunteers staff the SHOAL Centre reception desk and serve as an information hub to answer public queries over the phone and in person. An abundance of written material is available at SHOAL; this supplements volunteers’ personal knowledge base, so community members can get accurate information on a variety of topics and community resources.

• Saanich Peninsula Restorative Justice

  Volunteers are trained in restorative justice principles and practices so they can facilitate formal meetings between victims and offenders who could be charged with minor Criminal Code offences. The meetings aim to repair harm caused to the victim and/or community, provide restitution to the person harmed, and restore relationships. The program operates under the guidelines of the Ministry of Public Safety and the Solicitor General.

  Visit the website at saanichpeninsularj.ca for more information.

• Senior Peer 1 to 1 Support

  This is an opportunity to help older adults with transitions and challenges, reducing isolation and vulnerability in the community.  The Senior Peer 1 to 1 Support Program is a free, confidential service for seniors 55+ who are experiencing challenges such as: loneliness and isolation, housing transitions and relocation, a need to connect to community, health related challenges, and aging concerns.

  • 12 weeks of training provided
  • A one year commitment is required upon completion of training

• SHOAL Centre support team - promoting active living

  The SHOAL Centre is a lively, engaging place that greatly relies on friendly volunteers. Volunteers share their time and talents running the tuck shop, staffing the reception desk, supporting activities offered to Assisted Living residents, helping at events – and more! Give us a call to find out how we can put your helping hands to work at this special venue.

   

   

• Thrift Shops

  If you love bargain hunting, are a garage sale connoisseur or just love to meet people in the community, you can help Beacon raise the funds that make our programs possible.

  Volunteer positions are dedicated to serving customers, sorting and pricing items, running cash registers, setting up displays, and doing the many other tasks needed to keep a busy retail environment in tip-top shape.
  

   

   

• Volunteer Visitors - sharing your time can make a difference

  A friendly visitor can be life-changing for seniors who are isolated. Sharing a hobby, going for a walk, playing a board game, reading or enjoying conversation… Your visits are a gift that can make a world of difference to someone who is alone! Volunteers regularly visit a senior in their home and may occasionally go on an outing together.