Volunteer Training
Train to Become a Volunteer Peer Support Worker
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?
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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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Volunteer with Seniors
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Seniors can now call 2-1-1 or visit www.bc211.ca. if you are a senior in need, or if you would like to volunteer with a senior in your community to check in on them or help pick-up groceries/prescriptions. The helpline takes calls 7 days/week, 24 hours/day, to help keep seniors safe.
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Community Engagement Advisory Network
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CEAN (pronounced keen) 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. How it works is that you attend a volunteer orientation, and then 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! CEAN has regular orientation sessions. Contact them for more info! Confirm the upcoming orientation dates with them at ce@vch.ca, and apply via the link at the button below. |
Patient Voices
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Similar to CEAN for volunteers but province-wide, 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: |
Sign up
Sign up to become a PVN Patient Partner. You’ll soon be contacted by an engagement leader who works in your region to provide more information about PVN and discuss next steps, including an intake interview.
Attend an orientation
Prior to participating, you will need to complete an orientation session. It’s free, quick and can be via telephone, in a webinar or in person. The session will help you understand how PVN works, the kinds of engagement opportunities available, what to expect and how you can help.
Ongoing support
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.
Monitor engagement opportunities
Every Tuesday we’ll email you engagement opportunities that have been posted over the past seven days. You can also see all open opportunities on our Engagement Opportunities page, or contact your local engagement leader to learn more.
Apply for an engagement opportunity
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.
Participate in an engagement opportunity
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.
Receive feedback
After participating in an engagement opportunity, you’ll receive feedback as well as information about the results and outcomes of the initiative. It’s a great way to know how your input was helpful and the concrete results that came out of it!
Sign up to become a PVN Patient Partner. You’ll soon be contacted by an engagement leader who works in your region to provide more information about PVN and discuss next steps, including an intake interview.
Attend an orientation
Prior to participating, you will need to complete an orientation session. It’s free, quick and can be via telephone, in a webinar or in person. The session will help you understand how PVN works, the kinds of engagement opportunities available, what to expect and how you can help.
Ongoing support
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.
Monitor engagement opportunities
Every Tuesday we’ll email you engagement opportunities that have been posted over the past seven days. You can also see all open opportunities on our Engagement Opportunities page, or contact your local engagement leader to learn more.
Apply for an engagement opportunity
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.
Participate in an engagement opportunity
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.
Receive feedback
After participating in an engagement opportunity, you’ll receive feedback as well as information about the results and outcomes of the initiative. It’s a great way to know how your input was helpful and the concrete results that came out of it!
Love Art? Volunteer at Gallery Gachet
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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.
What: Volunteer Orientation When: the third Tuesday of each month Time: 3pm [and training at 4pm] Where: 9 West Hastings, Vancouver Volunteer Orientations/ information sessions take place on at 3:00 pm. On these dates, Training Sessions will be held at 4:00pm following the orientation.Training Sessions are intended for all volunteers but especially those who may be interested in becoming a member of the Gallery Gachet Collective. Those who are interested in attending either the Volunteer Orientation and/or the Volunteer Training Sessions are encouraged to contact us at volunteer@gachet.org or at 604.687.2468. Our 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, including communication skills, exhibition coordination, learning about non-profit organization management, professional development skills for artists and arts administration skills. Volunteer Members and Collective Members find that through their experience with Gallery Gachet, they have an opportunity to increase their knowledge on many levels, transferring their new-found skills to other areas of their lives. Examples of some volunteer opportunities include: – Gallery Hosting (this is central to our volunteer program) – Preparation of the gallery space, exhibitions and assistance with gallery openings -Administrative support, assistance with publications and communications initiatives Volunteers: – attend workshops free of charge – receive newsletters with information about exhibitions, workshops and other events – are entitled to access our gallery and computer stations during open hours – are provided with access to supervised open studio times – have the opportunity to join a committee and participate in the work of the Studio, Communications, Publications, New Media and Programming Committees |
Volunteer at Your Local Community Centre
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Vancouver community centres have many opportunities for volunteers -- get involved, doing something meaningful, and gain work experience.
Volunteer opportunities may include:
Click the button below to use the map to find a community centre in your neighbourhood. Zoom in using the '+' sign and click on a blue teardrop near you and the phone number and address will pop up. |
Movie Fan? Volunteer at The Cinematheque!
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The team of volunteers is a huge factor in the Cinematheque experience.
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. |
Love Live Theatre? - Pacific Theatre
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Pacific Theatre
1440 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver Volunteer with the Theatre - for example, you can usher for a performance and if it isn't sold out see the show for FREE. This volunteer position duties include ripping tickets, assisting the Front of House Manager and guidiing patrons. For more about becoming a volunteer, click the button below. |
Love Live Theatre? - The Arts Club
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Volunteering at the Arts Club is an excellent way to meet people, learn new skills, and become involved in the local theatre, arts, and not-for-profit community. They offer opportunities in many areas of the organization – from assisting at special events and fundraisers, office administration, to helping with many other unique projects.
If you're looking for a bit more of a commitment, they currently seek relief reception work from 12pm - 3pm a couple of days a week. Get more info about the Reception Relief Position, or click the button below for more general info about volunteering with the Arts Club. |
Love Live Theatre? - Firehall Arts Centre
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Firehall Arts Centre
280 East Cordova Street 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. firehall@firehallartscentre.ca |
Coast Mental Health
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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.
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Rogue Folk Club
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If you love folk music, this may be for you!
Volunteers are the lifeblood of the Rogue Folk Club. They give their time and energy and commitment, they move chairs, pour drinks, sell tickets, sell CDs, and clean up after concerts; they help out in the office - filing, archiving, etc.; they collate and fold the Rogue Folk Review for mailing; they sit on the governing board and they help to spread the word about a wonderful concert series. Throughout the year, the efforts of all volunteers are recognized with special volunteer nights, pot luck parties (which often include free CDs) and compensation for extra effort with free tickets to concerts. Above all volunteers get the chance to meet the performers, to gather with fine like-minded people, and to participate in the building of our thriving series of concerts that is the envy of communities throughout the world. The contact email addresses vary depending on the kind of volunteering you're drawn to with the club, so check out the link below. |
Community Policing
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Vancouver’s ten community policing centres hold a unique position among crime prevention initiatives in North America, with a strong partnership between the community and its police force. Unlike their counterparts in other cities, these centres are not satellite police stations -- they are actually operated, staffed, and governed by members of the community.
No one knows their community better than the people who live, work, and play there. You can make a difference by getting involved. Visit your local Community Policing Centre or find out more on their website and social media channels - click on the link below, and then on the community policing centre near you. |
YMCA Volunteer Postings Currently Accepting Applications
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You have a lot to offer the YMCA: your time, energy and ideas. As a YMCA volunteer, you might lead an exercise class, mentor young people, fundraise, produce a special event or advise on local issues. No matter how you help, you'll make a big difference in the lives of people in your community.
We offer a wide range of programs and services throughout the Lower Mainland with volunteer opportunities to match your passion, skills and availability. Areas of interest may include:
Note that the 'currently recruiting' postings [at the link below] are for throughout the Lower Mainland. First, click the area you're interested in [eg. immigrant services]. Then, for downtown Vancouver, see the postings for 'Robert Lee YMCA'. |
Arts-Related Volunteer Postings
Thrift Store Volunteer
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The Vancouver General Hospital Thrift Shop Society is a non-profit organization that works to raise funds for Vancouver General Hospital to support patient care. It is located near East Hastings and Nanaimo [2535 East Hastings Street].
The Vancouver General Hospital Thrift Store needs volunteers to assist in any of the following areas: cashiering, assisting customers, sorting and tagging clothing items, sorting and pricing donations, tidying and organizing the store, helping with donation drop-offs, recycling and more. The VGH Thrift Store opens Monday to Saturday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, and Sunday from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Shifts are from 2.5 hours to 4 hours each. Besides making a positive impact in supporting Vancouver health care programs, you will meet new people in a fun environment that throws a potluck once in a while! |
Botanical Garden and Conservatory
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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. Check out the button below for more info, then for anyone interested in volunteering they can complete the volunteer application form and read the volunteer handbook. |
Citizen Committees; City of Vancouver
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Vacancies on civic agencies, boards, and committees occur periodically throughout the year.
Just two examples; recently they sought people for volunteer positions on the Persons with Disabilities Advisory Committee and the Renters Advisory Committee. Click the button below for the list of volunteer opportunities now, and help to change your city. |
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Volunteer GardenerGreen Streets are planted on traffic circles and corner bulges.
The City pays for the initial planting. As a volunteer gardener, you will work with the City and your community to help the gardens grow during the year. You can simply weed and water, or choose to add your own personal touch by adding your favorite plants, providing more colour and interest through the changing seasons. Click here for more information |
Charity Village
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You may be familiar with Charity Village as a great website for those seeking jobs with charities and nonprofits.
It's also a great resource for frequently-updated listings for volunteer positions. |
City of Vancouver and Parks Board
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The City and Park Board have a diverse range of volunteer opportunities to fit your goals, skills, and schedule.
Volunteering is a rewarding way to:
Check out some of their volunteering opportunities! |
Vancouver Volunteer Corps
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Are you interested in helping your community and playing a critical role during major events, emergencies, and disasters? Join the Vancouver Volunteer Corps (VVC) and show you care for our city and region.
As a volunteer, you will:
Qualifications: The VVC welcomes your application if you:
Volunteers are required to attend:
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