West Prince health volunteer program launches

Volunteering at hospitals and long-term care facilities in West Prince is helping Beth Mattes support, and get acquainted with, her adopted community. Mattes recently moved to West Prince from Ontario. She is one of 11 active members in a new hospital health volunteer program that launched last month.

The program offers opportunities to volunteer at Western Hospital and Maplewood Manor in Alberton, and at Community Hospital O’Leary and Margaret Stewart Ellis in O’Leary.

“It has been such a pleasure and privilege to spend time with patients and perhaps brighten their day and bring them some comfort,” Mattes said.

Islanders interested in the program can self-register and schedule at which facility, when, and in what role they want to volunteer through the online tool.

There are several different roles that volunteers can take part in, including patient pal, mealtime setup helper, musical healer, information desk guide, hair care assistant and gardener.

Health and Wellness Minister Robert Henderson said, “This new online registration tool will make it easier for people to give back to their community, and allow for a more streamlined process for our volunteers in West Prince.” There was previously no formalized program to support hospitals in West Prince. Andrew Ramsay adds, “The response from patients, staff and volunteers has been very positive so far.”

Ramsay is the volunteer services project manager. “Patients like meeting new people, staff appreciate the support volunteers provide in their area, and volunteers enjoy the opportunity to make a difference. We’re finding that many of our hospital volunteers are enjoying the program so much that they are also spending time volunteering in long-term care.” To learn more or access the volunteer tool go to www. healthpei.ca/volunteer.