Out and About Seniors Escort Support, Volunteer

Veterans Health Administration • Toronto, ON

12d • Onsite

About The Position

The Out and About: Seniors Escort Support program helps seniors stay active, connected, and healthy by providing safe escort support to medical appointments, therapy visits, community events and workshops. We support social engagement, ensuring seniors can access essential care and remain involved in their communities. The program reduces isolation, improves healthcare adherence, and strengthens seniors’ physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

The program provides opportunities for older adults to stay active, educated and connected in their communities, through physical activities, social engagements, and access to local tourism. The program offers a wide range of services to ensure seniors receive support to maintain their health, well-being, and independence.

Requirements

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (Listening, oral communication to engage fully with client while in the community)
• Able to care for senior, and experience caring for, vulnerable seniors
• Experience and ease engaging vulnerable individuals and families
• Able to engage clients in conversation, and respond easily, creating understanding
• Friendly, caring, patient, reliable, compassionate, empathetic, tactful
• Able to make a commitment, plan, and adhere to set schedule
• Able to volunteer in person, in various public locations, indoors, outdoors, various terrain
• Comfortable traveling throughout Toronto
• Able and willing to follow all policies, procedures and requirements, including but not limited to privacy, confidentiality, infection, prevention and control requirements
• Experience and sensitivity working with culturally diverse individuals and families
• Able and willing to easily receive and follow instructions, policies, procedures and boundaries
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as an effective team member
• Resume
• Phone Screening
• Interview
• 2 references
• Signed Policies; release agreement and waiver
• Independent and group learning, in person and online

Nice To Haves

• Longer commitment if possible/desired

Responsibilities

• Attend scheduled activity(s) with a senior (i.e. theatre, concerts, appointment, activity, medical or therapy appointment, walks in the neighborhood)
• Meet senior at their home at scheduled time
• Travel to and from event together via taxi, Uber etc.
• Escort senior home at scheduled time
• Escort to and from the activity, appointment or event as a guest
• Engage in supportive, friendly conversation
• Engage positively with seniors
• Care for the safety, privacy and confidentiality of client and client information at all times
• Respect client privacy and adhere to confidentiality, privacy & other policies at all times
• Report to program staff in a timely manner.
• Understand, follow and implement emergency procedures swiftly and independently

Benefits

• Practice existing communication, interpersonal, care skills
• Gain work-related, and community healthcare experience
• Build your resume and build upon existing skills
• Build on your communication, and interpersonal skills
• Develop social and professional networks
• Receive support through orientation, training
• Experience an environment where volunteers are engaged, challenged, and rewarded
• Gain opportunities to meet new people; support your community
• Make a difference in clients’ lives with needed support
• Receive verification letter after 100 hours of service
• Volunteers are supported through orientation, training, (online and in person) meetings, workshops, seminars, and one-to-one support.
• Career-related experience.
• We provide an environment where volunteers are engaged, challenged & rewarded.
• Opportunities to meet new people.
• Develop social and professional networks.
• Build on your communication, interpersonal and leadership skills.
• Gain valuable work experience to build your resume.
• Support your community.
• Enhance clients' lives and deliver life-changing supports and services.
• Verification letter upon request following 100 hours of volunteer service.
• Program Assistant or/Coordinator or/Supervisor will be available for feedback and support.
• Accommodation and VHA’s commitment to DEI

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed