The Volunteer Role

A Health TAPESTRY volunteer is a trained community member who provides services to a Health TAPESTRY project without financial gain. In sites where the Canadian Red Cross (CRC) is the lead volunteer organization, Health TAPESTRY volunteers will be trained first as CRC volunteers and then as Health TAPESTRY volunteers. All CRC volunteers must understand and adhere to the CRC seven fundamental principles and mission statement and abide by the CRC code of conduct and policies.

Principles
Volunteers:

  • Have distinct but complementary roles relative to paid employees
  • Are not intended to replace the work of paid employees, but rather to add to the care being provided in novel ways
  • Do not work as part-time paid staff equivalents
  • Are not deployed to replace paid employees during labour disputes

Standards

  • The program has clear objectives and involves individuals in meaningful ways
  • Recruitment and selection may come from a variety of recognized sources (e.g., colleges, universities, social groups, professional colleges, community agencies)
  • Volunteers complete a standardized orientation to the program including review of its policies and procedures
  • Volunteers receive adequate levels of supervision according to their participation and are given regular opportunities for feedback
  • Volunteers are welcomed and work as an integral part of the primary care team
  • Contributions of volunteers will be formally recognized in accordance with the CRC National Awards Program

Requirements

Volunteers shall:

  • Complete and submit a volunteer application form
  • Complete an interview
  • Provide references
  • Provide a Vulnerable Sector police report or agree to the completion of the Enhanced Police Information Check
  • Read and sign a policy agreement document which demonstrates acceptance of policies such as Confidentiality, Code of Conduct, etc.
  • Complete a 2-step TB skin test
  • Complete any applicable provincially legislated training
  • Show evidence of annual influenza vaccination (not mandatory but strongly recommended)
  • Be able to communicate clearly in English or French (other language skills considered an asset)
  • Be able to travel within the community to do client home visits, and therefore must have reliable transportation (personal or public transit). Valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle is an asset
  • Be at least 17 years of age

As Canadian Red Cross volunteers, Health TAPESTRY volunteers will:

  • Complete Standard First Aid training
  • Complete the “Introduction to the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement” and “Introduction to Volunteerism” training sessions available on-line or in print
  • Consent to have their photo taken for their CRC photo ID, worn during all home visits

Volunteer Duties

  • Complete the online Volunteer Learning Centre (VLC) training modules
  • Participate in an in-person training session
  • Make home visits to clients with a volunteer partner
  • Assist clients in completing non-invasive screening tools and personal goal identification
  • Communicate with volunteer coordinator, clinic sites, and/or community-based organizations
  • Use various technology (e.g., the TAP-App, kindredPHR, EU-GENIE, the McMaster Optimal Aging Portal), and troubleshoot this technology for clients as needed
  • Provide social connection to clients in the community
  • Engage in optional focus groups or qualitative interviews

Description of the Role

  • Volunteers work in pairs
  • Client home visits will take an average of 60 minutes (not including travel time) but can range from 30 minutes to 120 minutes, depending on the client
  • It may require multiple visits to complete the screening tools in the TAP-App

During a client home visit, a volunteer pair will:

  • Identify themselves as extensions of the client’s primary care team
  • Gather information from the client through a series of questionnaires on the TAP-App, by using a tablet computer
  • Provide a social connection to clients by engaging in a friendly manner
  • Connect clients with community resources and supports they may be interested in