Since the summer of 2022, I have volunteered at Ajax's brand-new long-term care facility. In the spring of 2022, Lakeridge Gardens, a long-term care facility near Lakeridge Health's Ajax Pickering Hospital, opened. Covid-19 caused them to stop accepting volunteers for a while because there were so many outbreaks. However, in the summer, I was ready to go after meeting all the requirements for volunteers, including the screening process, the two TB tests, the police vulnerability check, the interview, and the training. My experience has only been fantastic. As a programme assistant, my present job at the facility requires me to help put up recreational programmes, motivate residents to participate in the activities, and offer one-on-one support to residents who need it. I work as a programme assistant and a portering assistant, guiding residents to and from various areas inside the facility and assisting with navigation.

Since there is training and there are always so many people to help you, you never feel alone or overwhelmed. Honestly, I was incredibly nervous before I started, especially when pushing residents and dealing with wheelchairs and walkers. However, my nerves have subsided after about seven months of working there. Here are a few of the reasons I love volunteering at a long-term care facility.

Time to Unwind

During the summer, I was doing summer school, and I had two jobs, and volunteering on top of all that seems hectic even right now while working and doing full-time school, but I can promise and assure you that the feeling is so rewarding and destressing. I go and destress to get away from my environment, do something good and give back to others. Volunteering has helped my mental health tremendously, especially hearing about the stories or the liveliness of the residents or engaging in activities with them. 

Building Connections

I've developed many relationships with residents and employees since volunteering. It's been fun to hear unique stories about their early years, their upbringing, or fresh perspectives on the various topics they discuss. The staff have also provided me with many mentorships and advice on assisting the residents, working in the field, or even acquiring a career. I've found this to be quite beneficial because I'm a young, confused person who always seeks mentorship, which is why volunteering is so fantastic!

Resume/Experience

I study social sciences and know that most individuals volunteer to get relevant experience for resumes in their respective professions. However, volunteering for the community looks nice on a CV, especially if you want to pursue a career in nursing or work in a long-term care facility. However, I am a criminology and justice student who believes she has discovered a new interest. I'm still wondering if this is the best professional route for me, but it has opened up new options that I would only know about if I began volunteering, which I genuinely enjoy doing. Furthermore, numerous people I volunteer with stated that they majored in social science, began volunteering, and then shifted to another career because they enjoyed volunteering. Whether you're a social science student, business, engineering, or even health science, volunteering may help you get valuable experience. Volunteering in this context can help you build a wide range of transferrable skills that you can use for other elements of your life. Relating back to the giphy, you don’t want that to be you, you want tons of experience on your resume to show that you’ve gotten involved and volunteering can help you do that!

Giving back and a sense of purpose

My first motivation for volunteering was the realization that I like interacting with and spending time with the elderly. I work in retail, and during the pandemic, many older customers would come in to shop. Since the stores weren't busy then, we would have in-depth conversations, which was genuinely delightful. One statement they made that hurt my heart was that they would go shopping even though they didn't need to because they wanted to get out and mingle or get some fresh air. Therefore, when Ontario Tech announced the chance to volunteer at the long-term care facility, I took on the opportunity immediately because it would be an excellent way to give back. I could only imagine how lonely the patients must have been. I don't regret joining since the residents make me happier when I see their genuine grins or expressions of anticipation when they learn about upcoming activities.

By clicking on the link, you may join up to be a volunteer at Lakeridge's new long-term home and experience all of the benefits described above for yourself! You're only one click away from making a positive change in your life! You even receive a great badge with your photo and name on it, which makes you feel cool, and if that doesn't convince you, I don't know what would.

Becoming a Volunteer at Lakeridge Health