Safer Spaces Hoarding Support, Coach, Mental Health Volunteer

VHA; Toronto; On-site; CAD 30,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading non-profit home care provider in Toronto is seeking a Mental Health Volunteer for its Safer Spaces Hoarding Support Program. The role involves assisting clients in de-cluttering and organizing their homes, with a commitment of 3 hours weekly over 12 weeks. Ideal candidates should have strong active listening skills, an interest in mental health issues, and be comfortable working with clients in their homes. Volunteers will receive training and have opportunities to build skills while making a positive impact on clients' lives.

Benefits

Career-related experience

Opportunities to meet new people

Gain valuable work experience

Reference letter after 100 hours

Qualifications

• Experience working in the mental health field an asset.
• Comfortable working in enclosed, small, and cluttered spaces.
• Coaching, teaching, and mentoring is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Assist clients with de-cluttering and organizing their living space.
• Provide supportive listening and emotional support.
• Maintain confidentiality of client information.

Skills

Active listening

Oral communication

Motivated

Understanding mental health issues

Reliability

Non-judgmental

Creativity

Job description

Safer Spaces Hoarding Support, Mental Health Volunteer

Apply locations Toronto, ON time type Part time posted on Posted 18 Days Ago job requisition id FR102

VHA Home HealthCare (VHA) is one of the largest not-for-profit home care providers in Ontario. Our team is made up of close to 3,000 caring and committed professionals who love what they do. Our providers tell us : “Home care is where I can truly make a difference. There is such a sense of accomplishment from helping people live independently at home.” Our teams work together to provide high quality, client-centred care to those who need it most in their homes, schools, retirement homes and other community settings. Many of our team members manage their own schedules in the community and they say, “The freedom and flexibility can’t be beat.” Providers form meaningful bonds with the clients and families they serve over time and are supported by a diverse regional team and beneficial home office programs. Team members tell us “I love the inclusive culture. I feel welcome and at home.”

Purpose : Improve quality of life of clients in the Safe Spaces Hoarding Support Volunteer Program. The program is designed to help vulnerable, isolated individuals with hoarding tendencies, de-clutter, sort and organize their homes. The program is developed from a harm reduction approach. We provide clients with opportunities that improve their social, physical, mental, and emotional health.

AREA SERVED : Toronto : North York, East York, Scarborough, Etobicoke and Downtown Toronto

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS

• Assist clients to de-clutter and organize their living space
• Assist clients to let go and discard items
• Assist clients to establish realistic and client-driven goals for organization, maintenance, and safe living
• Provide supportive listening

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES

Work with clients at their own pace, while maintaining clear goals

Foster and establish appropriate use of cleared living spaces

Be attentive to clients emotional state

Submit Volunteer Log to the Supervisor after each visit

Report concerns immediately to the Program Supervisor

Maintain confidentiality of client information; follow all policies and work within boundaries of the role

Notify the Supervisor as soon as possible if unable to volunteer on an assigned date

Attend support meeting.

TIME COMMITTMENT

3 hours plus travel time weekly, once a week for 12 weeks

12 weekly visits make one volunteer assignment

Visits happen during weekdays between 9- 4pm only. No evening or weekend availability

QUALIFICATIONS

Strong active listening and oral communication skills to work one on one with client in client’s home

Motivated and patient

Interested in mental health issues and compulsive hoarding

Comfortable working with a client in their home

Friendly, reliable, responsible, non-judgmental and non-discriminating.

Able to act independently within policies and boundaries of the position and client needs and goals

Creativity in planning and implementing activities

Knowledgeable of available community resources (local dumpsters, community health centres, donation drop-off facilities etc.)

Experience working in the mental health field an asset

Coaching, teaching, and mentoring is an asset

Comfortable working in enclosed, small, and cluttered spaces

ORIENTATION AND TRAINING

Orientation and training by VHA staff

Meetings with training component

SCREENING AND SUPERVISION

Application form with 2 references.

Interview

Signed Release Agreement, Waiver

Vulnerable Sector Screening

Report to supervisor on a weekly basis and submit weekly log

Supervisor will be available for feedback and support

BENEFITS

Volunteers are supported through orientation, training, (online and in person) meetings, workshops, seminars, and one-to-one support.

Career-related experience.

We provide an environment where volunteers are engaged, challenged & rewarded.

Opportunities to meet new people.

Develop social and professional networks.

Build on your communication, interpersonal and leadership skills.

Gain valuable work experience to build your resume.

Support your community.

Enhance clients' lives and deliver life-changing supports and services.

Reference letter upon request following 100 hours of volunteer service.

Program Assistant or / Coordinator or / Supervisor will be available for feedback and support.

Accommodation and VHA’s commitment to DEI

At VHA Home HealthCare (VHA), we passionately strive to uphold our commitments to being an Equal Opportunity Employer. We champion inclusion and diversity in all parts of our organization and are strong believers that a diverse workforce is key to the ongoing and future success of VHA. We aim to review all applicants with fair and unbiased recruitment practices where opportunities are presented based on merits, skills, and experience. VHA is committed to providing reasonable accommodation and our services are accessible and sensitive to the needs of diverse groups. If you require any accommodation, please let us know in advance as we are happy to comply.

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