Volunteer Training
Train to Become a Volunteer Peer Support Worker
Volunteer Exploration Workshop - Sept 2024
Volunteering Opportunities
Looking for a volunteer position? Common resources to find volunteer vacancies are GoVolunteer and Charity Village. But there are many other organizations open to volunteers - scroll down through the list of volunteer opportunities below
Work in Healthcare?
Want to become a Peer Supporter for Healthcare Workers?
Volunteering as a Peer Supporter is a rewarding experience. You’ll learn new, useful skills and support others in need. Mandatory requirements to be a Peer Supporter with Care to Speak:
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Community Engagement Advisory Network
CEAN is a group of public volunteers who add their voice to planning and decision-making at Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH).
CEAN members are involved in projects across all of VCH’s health service areas. The common driver in all the projects is that patient/public input improves the decisions that are made, the quality of care, and ultimately, health outcomes. To get involved, first register online. Then you will be contacted to have a brief phone interview and attend a volunteer orientation. Following the orientation, volunteers are emailed weekly lists of potential opportunities for bringing the patient experience to Vancouver Coastal Health projects. It's not unusual for them to be seeking people with lived experience of mental illness. It's a rewarding way of volunteering! Contact them for more info and confirm the upcoming orientation dates with them at [email protected], and register via the link at the button below. |
S.U.C.C.E.S.S.
When you volunteer with S.U.C.C.E.S.S., you are making a positive impact directly in your community. S.U.C.C.E.S.S. offers innovative programs and services to promote belonging, wellness, and independence of people in all stages of their Canadian journey.
Types of Positions:
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Patient Voices
The Patient Voices Network is a community of patients, families and caregivers working with health care partners to improve our health care system.
The inclusion of patient voices provides new perspectives and greater understanding for both patient and health care partners, leading to more informed decisions. This community shares a common purpose to include the patient voice in problem solving and decision making to improve BC’s health care system. |
Here are the typical steps for patient partners:
1. Sign up
1. Sign up
- Sign up to become a PVN Patient Partner. You’ll soon be contacted by an engagement leader to provide more information about PVN and discuss the next steps, including an intake interview.
- It’s free, quick, and can be via telephone, webinar, or in person. The session reviews how PVN works, engagement opportunities available, expectations, and how you can help.
- Attend webinars and other learning opportunities hosted by PVN that will prepare you to have a meaningful impact when participating in engagement opportunities.
- We have many resources that can help you, too.
- Explore all opportunities on our Engagement Opportunities page, or contact your local engagement leader to learn more.
- When you spot an opportunity that matches your interests and availability, fill out its online RSVP form. The responses are shared with the health care partner so that they can identify the patient partner that best fits the opportunity’s goals. Engagement leaders will follow up with everyone who submits an RSVP form, regardless of the selection decision.
- If you are selected for an opportunity, you will be introduced to the health care partner lead and supported by an engagement leader throughout your patient partner commitment.
- You will also have opportunities to ask questions and seek clarification.
- You’ll receive feedback as well as information about the results and outcomes of the initiative.
Love Art? Volunteer at Gallery Gachet
Gallery Gachet is a unique artist-run centre located in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. Gachet is a collectively-run exhibition and studio space built to empower participants as artists, administrators and curators.
Gallery Gachet holds orientation sessions and training sessions for all volunteers, but especially those who may be interested in becoming a member of the Gallery Gachet Collective. Their Volunteer Membership Program offers access to our facility and programs in exchange for volunteering with us. It also offers a wide range of opportunities for learning at all levels and the development of skills, including communication, exhibition coordination, non-profit organization management, professional development for artists, and arts administration. Members have found success in transferring their new-found skills to other areas of their lives. Examples of some volunteer opportunities include:
Volunteer Benefits:
Those who are interested in attending either the Volunteer Orientation and/or the Volunteer Training Sessions are encouraged to contact them! Email: [email protected] Phone: 604-687-2468 |
Volunteer with the City of Vancouver
The City of Vancouver offers a variety of volunteer opportunities around the city. Through volunteering, individuals can
Volunteer opportunities may include:
How to Get Involved:
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Movie Fan? Volunteer at The Cinematheque!
The team of volunteers is a huge factor in the Cinematheque experience. They assist is various aspects of the organization, from public-facing roles to helping with the film reference library, delivery of program guides and posters, and assisting with Learning & Outreach programs.
What's expected from you?
What will you get in return?
If you want to become a part of this experience, just a few volunteering options include:
You will be provided with an orientation. Join in and meet a diverse and friendly bunch of co-volunteers with a shared love of movies. Interested? Apply through the Volunteer Enrollment Form. Phone: 604-688-8202 |
Volunteer with MDABC
Volunteers are an essential part of MDABC and they contribute in a variety of ways. MDABC provides training and support to get you started, and once as we get to know you we will provide written and verbal references to future employers.
Volunteer Opportunities: Peer Support Group Facilitators and Cofacilitators:
For more information about volunteer opportunities, Email: [email protected]. |
Love Live Theatre? - Pacific Theatre
Pacific Theatre has volunteer opportunities for energetic and movie-loving individuals.
Three different types of volunteer positions: 1. Concessions – Includes selling concessions, assisting management, handing cash, and using the POS system 2. Programs – Includes handing out programs, assisting management, and helping patrons to their seats 3. Tickets - Includes ripping tickets and assisting management and patrons Benefits:
Application and Requirements:
Location: 1440 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver Email: [email protected] |
Vancouver Coastal Health
Volunteers with Vancouver Coastal Health complement the care provided by professional staff in acute care. long term care, or community volunteer programs. As a volunteer, you can gain personal satisfaction from helping others, obtain experience relevant to your future employment or educational plans, meet new people, and learn more about the health care system.
Details:
Email: [email protected]
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Love Live Theatre? - The Arts Club
Volunteers are an integral part of the Arts Club and have proved to be invaluable its success.
Benefits:
Phone: 604-687-5315 Email: [email protected] Location: #203-162 West 1st Ave., Vancouver |
Love Live Theatre? - Firehall Arts Centre
Do you want to see free professional dance and theatre performances? Want to be part of a dedicated volunteer group? Want to interact with the best theatre staff and patrons in the city?
Become a Firehall Arts Centre Volunteer Usher! As an usher you play a very important role before, during and after each performance. Requirements:
Email: [email protected] |
Coast Mental Health
As a Coast volunteer, you can share your time, skills, interests and energy to support clients on their path to realizing their potential, while overcoming individual challenges. Together with other members of the Coast team, you can help clients define and meet their own social, psychological, physical, recreational and spiritual goals.
Coast Volunteer roles:
Email: [email protected] |
Love Helping Animals? Volunteer with Vokra
Volunteers are an integral part of our organization. Without them, we couldn’t rescue and find loving homes for the more than 1,400 kittens and cats VOKRA takes in each year. There are several ways to participate in our organization, with different weekly time commitments. Volunteers are expected to commit to at least 6 months.
Positions:
To Apply:
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Volunteer with the Food Networks
There are volunteer opportunities at the community Food Networks around Vancouver. These Networks include Neighbourhood Houses, Community Gardens, and Community Centres.
Types of Positions:
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Rogue Folk Club
Volunteers are the lifeblood of the Rogue Folk Club. They give their time, energy, and passion to assist the folk community.
Types of Volunteer Roles: Concert Volunteers - tasks include helping backstage, selling memberships, box office, running the bar, setting up and cleaning up
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Volunteer Opportunities with VPD
1. Community Policing Opportunities:
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YMCA Volunteer Postings Currently Accepting Applications
BC YMCA offers a wide range of programs and services throughout the Lower Mainland with volunteer opportunities to match their passion, skills and availability. Opportunities include leading exercise classes, coaching and refereeing sports leagues, mentoring young people, admin, etc.
Areas of interest may include:
Apply through the YMCA Volunteer Application Form. Email: [email protected] |
Arts-Related Volunteer Postings
Do you love the arts? BC Alliance for Arts + Culture posts volunteer positions sent to them by their members and non-members. Volunteer roles range from Board Memberships to Festival Directors to Open Mic Hosts, and more.
Current opportunities include:
Phone: 604-681-3535 |
Botanical Garden and Conservatory
A wide range of volunteer opportunities are available with the Vancouver Botanical Gardens Association, both at VanDusen Botanical Garden and Bloedel Conservatory. Over 1000 volunteers contribute their time and talents in education, visitor experience, special events, governance, administration, fundraising and special events.
Apply For A Volunteer Position: 1. Explore current opportunities 2. Complete the volunteer application form 3. Read the volunteer handbook Contact Becky at: Phone: 236-476-3481 Email: [email protected] |
Citizen Committees with the City of Vancouver
Vacancies on civic agencies, boards, and committees occur periodically throughout the year. Individuals can volunteer to help shape COV policies and services to better serve everyone in our community.
Types of positions include:
Email: [email protected] Location: 3rd Floor, City Hall, 453 West 12th Ave |
Love Gardens? - Volunteer Opportunities at UBC Botanical Garden
As a UBC Botanical Garden Volunteer, you have opportunities to gain knowledge, share your skills, meet other nature and plant enthusiasts, and meet people of all ages and demographics.
Details:
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Volunteer with Fraser Health
Fraser Health offers various volunteer opportunities that allow individuals to share their talents, develop new skills, and help strengthen their community.
Volunteer Positions:
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BC SPCA Volunteers
BC SPCA has a wide range of volunteer opportunities to inspire and engage community members, with opportunities at various locations around BC.
Types of Positions:
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Canadian Mental Health Association
CMHA Vancouver-Fraser is a volunteer-driven organization that depends on the help of volunteers to promote mental wellness, provide services to those in need and carry out our vision of mentally healthy people in a healthy society. Volunteering with CMHA provides the opportunity to build skills, learn more about mental health and meet new people, while helping build a more caring community. Volunteering at CMHA is a wonderful way to help decrease the stigma associated with mental illness. By raising awareness, volunteers are actively promoting acceptance towards all mental health issues.
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Kids Up Front
Kids Up Front Vancouver is an organization that provides experiences to children, youth, and families facing barriers in the Greater Vancouver area. Having access to local events (like hockey games and music performances) and activities (like arts and crafts workshops) gives a child a much-needed avenue to uplift their spirits and self-esteem. Volunteers can help with operational tasks such as social media, program coordination, outreach, data entry, and more!
Current Volunteer Positions:
Phone: 604-266-5437 |
Dress for Success
Dress for Success Vancouver works to uplift women and gender-diverse individuals and inspire them to live up to their own unique potential. The organization relies on a community of committed volunteers to make this work happen. They have many opportunities for individuals to get involved, fulfill their passion, use their skill sets and experience, and have a meaningful impact.
Opportunities include:
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Downtown Eastside Neighbourhood House
Volunteers’ contributions to the DTES NH community are meaningful and deeply appreciated! They help the NH provide the best quality programs to the community. With a small staff team, the NH relies on volunteers to keep their community programs running.
Opportunities available:
Apply through Volunteer Connector. For more information, Email: [email protected] |
Greater Vancouver Food Bank
Volunteer with the Greater Vancouver Food Bank and help provide healthy food to those in need.
Benefits of Volunteering:
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Caravan Word Rhythms - Volunteer Opportunities
Caravan Word Rhythms is seeking volunteers for year-round events in Vancouver and Victoria. It is a great opportunity to support the organization, get a look inside of how events are put on, and get free tickets!
Various opportunities, including:
General Info:
Media requests: [email protected] Let them know what tasks you can take on, your experience, your availability, and if you have a vehicle. |
Volunteer Leader Training: Self-Management BC
Self-Management BC and Roundhouse Community Centre are offering free training workshops for individuals interested in volunteering with the programs. The trainings are interactive, fun, and are provided at no cost.
Details:
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Platforms and Databases to Search for Volunteer Opportunities
Charity Village
Volunteer BC
Volunteer BC is the voice of volunteerism with the goal of promoting the value of volunteerism and building healthy BC communities.
Their programs help British Columbians mobilize their talents as volunteers, offer educational opportunities, and provide useful tools and ways to address critical community needs. |
Volunteer Canada
Volunteer Canada was established to provide national leadership and expertise on volunteer engagement to increase the participation, quality, and diversity of volunteer experiences. They collaborate with volunteer centres, businesses, non-profit organizations, government and educational institutions to promote and broaden volunteering.
Their programs, research, training, tools, resources and national initiatives assist volunteers across Canada. Volunteer Canada also hosts webinars on volunteer engagement and related issues. Individuals can search through a wide variety of volunteer opportunities, including positions for groups, newcomers, and older Canadians. |
Volunteer Match
One of the web’s largest and most popular volunteer recruiting platforms, which serves thousands of nonprofits and a million interested volunteers.
Search through hundreds of local volunteer positions and filter based on your skills, experience, and interests. The platform hosts a wide variety of social causes and organizations. |