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Contact Us

Contact us

Email:
volunteer@
sunnybrook.ca

Phone: 416-480-4129
Fax: 416-480-4248

Bayview Campus
2075 Bayview Avenue Suite E103
Toronto, Ontario
M4N 3M5

Holland Orthopaedic & Arthritic Centre
43 Wellesley St. East
Toronto, Ontario
M4Y 1H1

St. John's Rehab
285 Cummer Avenue
Toronto, Ontario
M2M 2G1

Where can I volunteer?

From working directly with patients, to helping raise funds which support the hospital, we offer a wide variety of opportunities for those who wish to make a positive difference.

Our goal is a mutually beneficial placement where volunteers can share their time in a meaningful way while helping enhance the patient experience.

St. John's Rehab (285 Cummer Ave.)

This site is dedicated to specialized rehabilitation to help rebuild the lives of adults recovering from life-changing illness or injury (e.g. stroke, burns, amputations, traumatic injuries, cardiovascular surgery, transplants, cancer etc.) Volunteer roles include support to patients, as well as valuable services that contribute to improved quality of life.

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  • Gift shop –retail sales, customer service, interacting with patients and visitors, while raising funds to support programs
  • Coffee bar - sales of coffee/tea and snacks provide an appreciated service to patients and visitors
  • Greeter/lottery ticket sales – welcome and greet patients and visitors; sell break-open tickets to help raise funds for hospital equipment
  • Inpatient unit support - support rehabilitation, help provide opportunities for socialization, recreation and cognitive wellness activities; assist at mealtime
  • Outpatient clinic support - support rehabilitation activities, while working with the physiotherapy team in the “GLAD – Canada” education and exercise program, and the Active Living Program
  • Spiritual care department support - assist the Sisters of St. John the Divine with a variety of services, including the library/book cart and angel clothing cupboard; special events
  • Peer connections - stroke peer support (those with lived experience who have suffered a stroke provide peer support to patients) in partnership with the March of Dimes Canada

Holland Orthopaedic & Arthritic Centre (43 Wellesley St. East)

Our downtown site specializes in orthopaedics (surgical and non-surgical treatment) and has units dedicated to caring for patients who are awaiting placement in long-term care.

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  • Outpatient department - volunteers with lived experience (recovered from hip or knee surgery) assist with patient flow through a variety of daily clinics; help patients access information and resources in the patient library
  • Physiotherapy outpatient clinic - volunteers with lived experience (recovered from hip or knee surgery) support patients and the physiotherapy team in the delivery of rehabilitation exercise programs
  • STEP patient support - assist with recreational therapy activities (e.g. arts and crafts); provide socialization and assistance at mealtime

Veterans Centre (2075 Bayview Ave.)

Long-term and complex hospital care is offered to over 300 veterans from the Second World War and Korean War. Volunteers enhance their quality of life in a variety of roles.

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  • Chapel escort - take residents in wheelchairs to faith-based services in Sunnybrook’s chapel or other onsite locations
  • Creative arts therapies - assist staff to provide veterans with art, music and horticultural therapy activities
  • Pet therapy - visit designated veterans with a dog (must be a registered volunteer with a therapy dog organization such as Therapeutic Paws of Canadaor St. John Ambulance
  • Recreation therapy - assist staff to provide veterans with recreational activities (i.e. discussion groups, baking groups, games/cards, events and outings, etc.)
  • Resident transport –escort residents in wheelchairs to physiotherapy and other activities
  • Palliative care visiting - provide compassionate visits to patients and their families at end-of-life (requires additional training provided by community hospice)

Odette Cancer Centre (2075 Bayview Ave.)

A regional outpatient cancer treatment facility.

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  • Chemotherapy unit - provide support and assistance to patients receiving chemotherapy treatment
  • Clinic support (including radiation and blood lab) - assist with patient flow in the clinic
  • Courtesy service - provide directions, information and walking/wheelchair escorts to outpatients
  • Information desk -provide directions and assistance to patients and families
  • Patient buddy -individuals who have lived experience with cancer assist new patients and their caregivers/families throughout their care journey
  • Patient Education And Research Learning Centre (PEARL) - help patients and families access cancer information and resources in the form of printed material, internet access, classes, etc.
  • Symptom screening – help patients complete the electronic screening survey regarding symptoms associated with cancer treatment

Bayview campus (2075 Bayview Ave.)

With close to 500 inpatients, and thousands of outpatient visits, there are a wide array of volunteer roles in the acute care area of the hospital.

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  • Courtesy service - provide directions and information to outpatients and visitors; assist with way finding, guiding or wheelchair escort to appointments
  • Emergency Department - provide assistance to staff with general errands, patient comfort and other non-clinical duties; help ease the anxiety of an emergency visit for patients and those who accompany them
  • Family waiting rooms - provide information and general support to family members of patients in the critical care unit or while having surgery
  • Outpatient Clinics - assist with patient flow and information; help to ease the anxiety of a hospital appointment
  • Geriatric Day Hospital - provide assistance with recreational therapy programs to elderly clients
  • Gift shop - provide customer service and assist with sales (proceeds support patient care and comfort activities)

Evening and weekend opportunities

There are a few areas where volunteer support is needed, outside of regular business hours.

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Bayview campus

  • Chapel escort in Veterans Centre - volunteers take residents in wheelchairs to faith-based services
  • Critical care unit family waiting room support - provide information and general support to family members of patients receiving care or surgery
  • Emergency department – assist with assorted duties; help ease the anxiety of an emergency visit for patients and those who accompany them

John’s Rehab (descriptions as noted above under St. John’s Rehab)

  • Inpatient unit support
  • Coffee bar

Gift shop - provide customer service (proceeds support patient care and comfort activities)