Safer Spaces Hoarding Support, Coach, Mental Health Volunteer

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

Job summary

A leading home care provider in Ontario seeks volunteers for the Safe Spaces Hoarding Support Program in Toronto. Volunteers will help clients declutter their homes and improve their quality of life while gaining valuable experience and making a difference in the community. This role requires strong communication and active listening skills, as well as a compassionate approach. Training and support will be provided throughout the volunteer period.

Benefits

Career-related experience

Reference letter after 100 hours of service

Opportunities to develop skills and networks

Qualifications

• Strong active listening and oral communication skills.
• Motivated and patient.
• Comfortable working in a client’s home.
• Knowledgeable of community resources.

Responsibilities

• Assist clients to de-clutter and organize their living space.
• Work with clients at their own pace with clear goals.
• Submit Volunteer Log to the Supervisor after each visit.

Skills

Active listening

Oral communication

Motivation

Patience

Creativity

Reliability

Job description

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.”

View more comments from our clients and their family members

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.

Seniority level

Seniority level

Internship

Employment type

Employment type

Part-time

Job function

Job function

Health Care Provider

Industries

Hospitals and Health Care

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