Volunteer Services

Interested in volunteering? Contactivity Centre provides various opportunities for anyone who is both passionate and compassionate. If you have a few hours to spend and are interested in developing  a relationship with a senior in the Westmount neighbourhood, get in touch! People in the community can really use your generosity and spirit of giving back. 
Volunteers can help seniors with activities such as:  grocery shopping, trips to medical appointments, friendly visits, in-house special events and more. See below for more information or please call us 514-932-2326.
*A routine police background check is part of the volunteer screening.

Friendly Caller

We match isolated seniors with volunteers for a weekly phone call. The pandemic has been particularly difficult for seniors living alone who can no longer access the social services, events, and groups that comprised their connected life. Friendly calls provide friendship and often practical support for folks who feel socially isolated for a range of reasons, from loss of mobility to medical conditions to just being shut in by the pandemic. We hope that these intergenerational relationships are opportunities for people to learn from each other’s experiences and just have a good time in each other’s company. An hour a week could make a big difference in the life of a senior. Are you interested in lending a hand
Requirements:
  • We require a minimum commitment of a year, although we hope that the relationship will extend beyond that. It takes a while to establish these connections and it can be tough on our members if you form a relationship and disappear soon afterwards. So please only apply if you are able to make long term commitment. 

Grocery Deliveries

Many seniors feel unsafe going to the grocery store during the pandemic. Although a lot of folks are able to access online purchase and delivery, many are not and are struggling to access good food. Our volunteers go to the grocery store, shop, and deliver to our client's doors, ensuring isolated seniors get the food they need during this tough time.
Requirements:
  • Applicants must have access to a car
  • Be available to make one delivery a week
  • Be responsible and organized.
  • We try to do all our deliveries in the morning, as there are fewer people in the stores, reducing the risk to you and to the senior you are delivering to, so it helps if you are available in the morning. 


Friendly Visitor

We match isolated seniors with volunteers for a two hour visit every week. Volunteers meet with a senior in their home or at a designated location close by, catch up over a cup of tea, help out with a chore or run an errand or two, and generally get to know each other. Friendly visits provide friendship and often practical support for folks who feel socially isolated for a range of reasons, from loss of mobility to medical conditions. We hope that these intergenerational relationships are opportunities for people to learn from each other’s experiences and just have a good time in each other’s company. A few hours a week could make a big difference in the life of a senior. Are you interested in lending a hand?

Requirements:

  • Commit at least 2 hours per week for a minimum of 6 months. 
  • As we are dealing with a vulnerable population, we require that you be at least 18 years old and pass an SPVM background check.
  • Meet with the program coordinator to determine your skills and interest in volunteering, and complete a shortmandatory training.

Medical Accompaniment

Often, it is difficult to make it to medical appointments, especially in the winter time when mobility is harder. Volunteers assist seniors in getting to and coming back from their appointments either by their personal cars or via taxis. This service is for Westmount and adjacent areas.

Requirements:

  • Be available from time to time to drive/accompany a senior to their appointment
  • As we are dealing with a vulnerable population, we require that you be at least 18 years old and pass an SPVM background check.
  • Meet with the program coordinator to determine your skills and interest in volunteering, and complete a short mandatory training.

Student Volunteering

We welcome student volunteers who want to gain experience working with seniors in the community. The Centre assists students with internships from University and Colleges.  We are open and happy to provide students with opportunities in and around the centre.

In Centre Volunteering

We often need a helping hand in the centre itself. Located at 4695 Boulevard de Maisonneuve O, we run events like community lunches on Thursdays, workshops and tai-chi. Fill out an application form and then drop in and help us out in the kitchen or help set up rooms for events!

If you are interested in applying for any of these roles, please fill out and submit the volunteer application form below and we'll get back to you shortly! For questions, please feel free to call us on 514-932-2326 or send us an email at rekha.birla@contactivitycentre.org