Make a Difference in Your Community
Join Shannex and become a valued volunteer, forging meaningful connections and friendships while making a positive impact!
Volunteering is more than just giving your time! It’s about forming genuine connections with the residents in our communities. By volunteering, you’ll not only benefit their lives but also create lasting friendships that enrich your own.
We offer a variety of volunteer roles that cater to your interests and talents. Whether you enjoy spending quality time with residents, sharing your skills or leading engaging activities, there’s a role that suits you:
Volunteer Roles
Be a friend who interacts and engages with residents in our communities. Resident Companions spend time chatting, sharing stories, participating in activities, and encouraging residents to live their best lives.
Role
- Engaging residents by converesing with them and attending and participating in social activities and hobbies
- Acknowledge residents’ interests, talents, and strenghs and encourage residents to get involved in activities that interest them.
- Provide clear communication with the resident, family and team members.
Are you an enthusiastic and motivated individual this is the perfect opportunity for you! You will work with Recreation Team Members and Wellness Coaches to support activities and programs in our communities.
Role
- Collaborate with Recreation Team Members/Wellness Coaches in implementing social and recreational programs.
- Acknowledge residents’ interests, talents, and strengths and encourage residents to get involved in activities and programs that interest them.
- Assist residents to and from activities.
- Provide support for residents attending activities and programs.
- Support residents so they can fully engage in programs and enjoy the proposed activities.
Work with Recreation Team Members and Wellness Coach to help welcome new residents to their community, provide guidance, and share information about life in their community.
Role
- Greeting new residents and giving tours of the community.
- Answering new residents’ questions about life in their community.
- Following the checklist developed for new residents.
- Providing guidance to new residents.
- Be an active listener and offer support and encouragement.
- Acknowledging residents’ interests, talents, and strengths, encouraging residents to get involved in activities that interest them.
- Providing clear communication with the resident, family & team members.
- Reporting new resident interests/talents/strengths to the Recreation Team Members/Wellness Coordinator.
Assist with various tasks aimed at enhancing the well-being and quality of life of older adults. This role includes fostering a sense of community, offering emotional support, and ensuring that older adults stay engaged, active, and connected.
Role
- Provide one on one assistance to enhance resident’s quality of life and meet their individual needs.
- Participate in numerous activities based on resident’s interests, such as walks, games, movies and storytelling.
- Build meaningful relationships through patience and active listening, creating a supportive environment.
Perform entertainment, including singing or dancing, captivating residents with their dynamic and multi-faceted acts.
Role
- Share your talent through performance with the intention to build connections with residents.
- Encourage resident participation to enhance their well-being and enjoyment.
- Respect and embrace the diverse backgrounds and preferences of residents, ensuring everyone feels represented.
Qualifications
Your questions answered
We understand that you may have questions about volunteering with us. That’s why we have put together a comprehensive list of frequently asked questions to address any concerns or doubts you may have.
Your safety is our priority
At Shannex, we take the health and safety of our volunteers seriously. Before entering the building, we require all volunteers to book their time in advance and self-screen for signs of illness. We strictly adhere to Public Health guidelines to ensure a safe environment for everyone.
Ready to make an impact?
If you’re passionate about making a positive impact and want to join us as a volunteer, please complete the form below.
We look forward to welcoming you into our dedicated community of volunteers!
What to Expect Before Volunteering
We’re excited that you want to join us in making a difference! After submitting the form below, you will be asked to complete some additional steps before you get started. We are dedicated to ensuring every volunteer is fully prepared and well-suited to make a meaningful impact while working alongside residents.
View Required Steps
- Volunteer Application Form
2. Interview & Reference Checks
3. Background Checks
- In New Brunswick, a Social Development Record Check is also required.
4. New Volunteer Orientation
5. Ongoing Education and Training
6. Community Tour
7. Let the fun begin!
Volunteer with Shannex!
The benefits of volunteering in our communities are often felt by a resident and the volunteer by forming friendships and connections.
Our locations can work with you to determine how often and the length of time you would like to give. To volunteer with us, please fill out the form below, and a member of the team will be in touch with you shortly.
Meet our volunteers
Meet Ethan Ring
Volunteer Ethan Ring has been with Parkland at the Gardens in Halifax, Nova Scotia since 2018. He is a student who loves spending quality time with residents and hearing about their life stories. For Ethan, volunteering at Parkland has been a unique experince, he feels a genuine sense of belonging and has formed special bonds with many residents.
Meet Elaine and Grace the Doxie
Grace is a miniature long hair Dachshund and one of our most popular volunteers. She, and her best friend Elaine, have been volunteering with Shannex since last year through regular visits at Monarch Hall in Riverview, New Brunswick. Grace is certified as a Canadian Kennel Club Therapy Dog through the St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog Program. She loves when residents share memories of past pets, and she is grateful she can help them relive those moments of tenderness.
Meet Janet
Janet is a long-time volunteer at Parkland in the Valley. Through her actions, she helps to build an inclusive resident community that supports the emotional and physical needs of the residents. When doing one-on-one activities with residents such as playing cards, doing puzzles, or simply chatting about their day, Janet always makes the residents feel special. Not only does she know all the residents by name, but she also knows about them, their likes and dislikes, their families, and their stories.
Frequently asked questions
No. We are very flexible, and we want this experience to be enjoyable for you and to fit into your routine and availability.
A Social Development Record Check looks for court orders, findings, or dangerous and destructive behaviour involving children, adults and/or seniors. A Criminal Background Check looks for police-related infractions. Both of these checks are completed at the applicant’s expense.
The Recreation Team Members/Wellness Coaches in each of our communities will be available to teach and guide you throughout the process until you become comfortable to be on your own with our residents.
It is important to maintain honest communication with our Recreation Team Members to ensure that your volunteer experience is successful. If you are having difficulty communicating with some of our residents, please come and see us. We will be happy to provide you with some education and tips on how to communicate with our residents.
No experience required, just a willingness to spend time with seniors. Some basic training is provided during orientation.
There are three key volunteer roles for which we have established descriptions of responsibilities: Recreation Program Assistant; Resident Companion, General Volunteer, Entertainer/Variety Artist; and New Resident Welcome Support. Our volunteers support several different activities, and these activities vary from the level of care offered on the campus. Activities such as Bingo calling, trivia quizzing, Scrabble, Giant Crosswords, exercise classes, manicures, music and entertainment, therapy dogs, conversation groups (current events, travel, etc.), crafts and baking, one-on-one visits, games (bean bag toss, board games), special events activities, coffee/socials, gardening or spiritual activities are only some of the activities that are currently offered.
You can do so by signing in/out in the lobby, as well as by completing school paperwork.
