This is a remote volunteer position supporting the Guelph-Wellington Community. All shifts and training are completed remotely, therefore, residence in Guelph-Wellington is not a requirement for this position.

Responsibilities:

• Complete inbound and outbound calls with service users
• Complete safety/wellness checks, provide medication reminders, and engage in social conversations with a diverse group of people
• Assist with crisis intervention, when presented
• Engage in conversations with members of the LGBTQ+ community through the texting support line
• Utilize a strengths-based, solution-focused approach
• Provide external resources and referrals to service users 
• Complete case documentation of all interactions with service users

Support our Social Recreation Coordinator with the delivery of varied programs for people living with dementia.
• Ensure that participants are engaged
• Some light set up and clean up of the space for each program
• Training as appropriate for each course
• Volunteers participate in the activities along with the participants - It's fun!
• This program may be held virtually during the pandemic. A computer would be a requirement to volunteer in that case

• Help with the set up and clean up of refreshments, games, and activities for the program
• Assist the Minds in Motion Coordinator to ensure activity participation and socialization. This may include spending one-on-one time with participants who need extra support
• Under the direction of the Physical Activity Program Leader, provide one-on-one support to participants during the physical activity component of the program
• Assist with any other required tasks

• Arrive at the Meal Source at the prearranged time.  
• Deliver meals in the order they appear on the route sheet/book. 
• Converse with client to check on client’s well being. 
• Report any problems or concerns encountered in carrying out duties to Home and Community Support Services of Grey-Bruce.

• Providing long and/or short-distance rides for social purposes and non-emergency medical appointments to clients in Grey-Bruce 

Be trained to conduct education sessions on fracture prevention to seniors at seniors centres, retirement homes and active living programs.

• Provide support to the Day Away staff by socializing with clients, participating in planned activities, and carrying out different recreational activities (ie. a game of cards, arts and crafts, and more!)
• Help with coats and boots during the beginning and end of the day

• Provide regular visits to assigned older adult clients, offering companionship, conversation & engagement in meaningful activities 
• Perform regular outbound phone calls to assigned older adult clients  
• Report any health or safety concerns to the Supervisor 
• Provide monthly activity reports to Supervisor 

As part of our vision to see persons with dementia living well and thriving, this program seeks out ways to keep a person engaged within their home, while simlutaneously providing care partners with a little bit of respite.

Volunteers will conduct 1:1 weekly meaningful and social recreation visits with persons living with dementia.  Volunteers will receive training and support from In-Home Recreation Coordinator as well as an outline of suggested activities.  They will also have flexibilty to plan activities that best meet the client's needs. 

Weekly visits are 1.5 hours in length and a 6 month committment is appreciated.

The facilitator will:

• Support the goals of PSSO in local communities with an emphasis on providing
  information and fellowship for people living with Parkinson’s and their families.
• Attend ongoing training/education and Community of Practice meetings provided
  by PSSO to increase their knowledge about Parkinson’s disease and to enhance
  their skills as a facilitator.
• Ensure all public notices for the group contain the group information, PSSO logo,
  and a reference to the group being a program of PSSO.
• Provide PSSO with updated group lists, including names, addresses, telephone
  numbers, and email addresses regularly.
• Provide an attendance record (First & Last Name of each participant) to PSSO
  immediately following each group session. This will be submitted using the
  volunteer portal “My Impact Page.”
• Document all hours of volunteering using the volunteer portal “My Impact Page,”
  which should include all time spent each month planning as well as group
  facilitation.
• Notify PSSO of any important information immediately as it pertains to the overall
  group or specific client participants (questions, resources, health changes, death in
  the family, etc.).

The facilitator works with the group to:

• Act in accordance with the Volunteer Code of Conduct (see page 12)
• Define the role and emphasize that the facilitator is not an expert in all things.
• Conduct group meetings in a caring, respectful, and compassionate manner.
• Promote the value of empowerment, encouraging individuals to be involved in
  making decisions about their own care.
• Establish, with input from group participants, a list of ground rules and goals for the
  group and review the list with the group on a regular basis.
• Foster an opportunity for people to interact with others dealing with similar health
  concerns and facilitate the sharing of their experience living with Parkinson’s.
• Encourage group members to participate in PSSO programs, education events, and
  fundraising events.
• Invite group participants to connect with PSSO staff and programs as necessary.
• Welcome and introduce new participants to the group, explain group guidelines such as confidentiality and help them connect with other group participants.

Group Interaction & Communication
The facilitator will:

• Ensure group participants are educated about and adhere to the confidentiality
  policy.
• Moderate the discussions in the group to ensure that all participants have an equal
  opportunity to share if they wish. This may require the facilitator to enhance their
  skills to ensure that participants that are talkative do not monopolize the
  discussion. Gently redirect attention to less vocal participants.
• Encourage a balance in discussions by encouraging the group to consider
  constructive solutions when negative issues are being addressed. Although there
  will be times when participants need to freely express and share their feelings, even
  if their tone seems negative.
• Remind the group that the symptoms, treatment, and progression of Parkinson’s
  are unique to each person, so others’ experiences may be different from one’s own.
• Strive to present information and encourage discussion that is honest while at the
  same time promotes a feeling of optimism.
• Remind participants to adopt a “consumers beware” approach to any information
  shared in the group and do their own research or speak with a medical professional
  before acting