Volunteer

Join the 700+ volunteers who together contribute more than 100,000 hours of time and energy to Providence Health Care each year.

Three volunteers smiling.

Are you interested in sharing your time and skills with Providence Health Care? We have a variety of volunteer opportunities in hospitals, long-term care facilities, assisted living, rehabilitation and palliative care.

If you have the time to volunteer, do it. It comes back to you in some form or another.

Julien Methot, volunteer gardener

Why volunteer at Providence?

Our volunteers enhance the quality of care we provide for patients and residents at all of our sites. Here are a few reasons to consider volunteering with us:

  • Become a valued member of the health care teams at Providence
  • Make an immeasurable difference to the lives of our patients and residents, and their families
  • Experience personal growth through helping others in their community
  • Gain valuable life and work experience
  • Access educational opportunities, references, scholarships and monthly draws

We will do our absolute best to ensure your volunteer experience is as rewarding as possible. We provide exciting educational opportunities, engaging volunteer roles and the chance to be a member of an exceptional health care team.

I love the fact that such a small act of kindness from me can make a world of difference in someone’s life.

Jay Hartnell, volunteer hairdresser

Types of opportunities

There’s a volunteer position for everyone, regardless of expertise and background. Opportunities include:

  • Help to upkeep and beautify our gardens
  • ⁠Help with social and recreational activities ⁠
  • Offer one-to-one visiting ⁠
  • Provide pet therapy ⁠
  • Deliver well wishes messages ⁠
  • Help visitors navigate our sites⁠
  • Work in our gift shop
  • Become a patient and family partner (see below)

See below for how to apply.

Note: Volunteers are not recruited for areas such as staff/doctor shadowing or direct care positions.

Meet our volunteers

While our volunteers come from all backgrounds and age groups, they have one big thing in common: A desire to get involved and make a real difference in their communities.

Interested? Check your eligibility and see the commitment

We have volunteers who have been with us for 20 years, or just the minimum of four months. Take a look at our eligibility requirements to see what’s involved. Volunteers must:

  • Commit to 1-3 hours a week for a minimum of four or six consecutive months depending on the program
  • Be 16 years of age or older to volunteer in long-term care, or 18 and above for acute care
  • Complete a free-of-charge criminal record check
  • Get a free yearly flu shot (or choose to wear a mask)
  • Be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 (minimum of two doses)

Before applying, we suggest reading through all the information on this page.

How to apply

At Providence Health Care, we have nine different sites available for volunteers. Each has its own needs and opportunities. To apply, just click on the site you are interested in volunteering at (listed below) for opportunities and a link to an online application form.

What happens after you apply?

All applicants will receive confirmation of their application. Selections are based on availability, length of commitment, experience and suitability. If selected, you will be contacted for an interview. Unfortunately, not all applications can be interviewed. If you have not been contacted within 6-8 weeks, we encourage you to re-apply.

Opportunities to donate

Volunteering has helped me to appreciate the clinical and patient context which is vital to my work.

Dr. Toby Schmitt, former volunteer

Answers to your questions

Before contacting our sites, we ask that you read through some of our frequently asked questions and answers. If you have any questions after reading the information below on volunteering at Providence, please contact us.

Applying to be a volunteer

The volunteer experience

Contact us

Interested in volunteering? Click on the link for the site (See How to apply above) at which you are interested in volunteering. Then fill out an online application form.

Interested in Practicum/Student Placement? 

Please email: studentplacements@providencehealth.bc.ca

Interested in working at PHC?

Please visit our jobseekers section for more information and opportunities.

Other inquiries?

Please visit the Contact us page.