‘Welcome to Clay with Cori’

CROWSNEST PASS — On a Monday afternoon, clay and carving tools cover a table. The room buzzes with excitement as volunteers surround the table to work one-on-one with long-term care residents, helping them to bring their clay creations to reality at Crowsnest Pass Health Centre.

"Welcome to Clay with Cori," says Cori MacGregor, a dedicated and enthusiastic volunteer.

When her dad moved into long-term care, MacGregor vowed to become the health centre's greatest volunteer, not just for her father, but for all the residents. Visiting daily, she started to notice what activities residents enjoyed, and what they would benefit from having more of.

"I thought my dad would benefit from a program that's more about doing something with your hands, kind of a guy thing," says MacGregor. "I thought a clay program might be something more men could attend."

MacGregor brought her idea to Madison Hayley, an Alberta Health Services volunteer coordinator, who helped put it into action. They approached the Crowsnest Pass Auxiliary who enthusiastically agreed to fund the program, and also received discounts and free supplies from Ceramics Canada.

Clay with Cori is now the most popular volunteer activity among residents.

"We have a lot of residents that participate that don't do other programs at all," says MacGregor. "We have residents who have full mobility, and we have people in wheelchairs who can't move their bodies that all, who like to participate — so it's a program for everyone."

Residents who can no longer create with their hands can still use their creativity to guide their one-on-one volunteer, who follows their instructions to bring their ideas to life.

"I don't even know how to put into words how inspiring volunteers are, but when I look at all these volunteers that are here, all I see is just so much love to give," says Hayley.

"It's hard to explain to our volunteers how much it means to residents, but for me — who sees residents day in and day out without a volunteer and with a volunteer — the light that comes to their faces, they open up, they tell stories about their past, they get to reminisce. It's so incredible." Volunteers are always needed, and sometimes for roles that have yet to be dreamed up.

"I'm so invested in creating programs here, especially that lean towards what volunteers are already passionate about," Hayley adds.

"I want to know what makes you … you. What do you enjoy doing, and how can we bring that to our patients and residents to participate in?"

Register as a volunteer by visiting ahs.ca/volunteers and connect with the site volunteer coordinator to discuss new ideas and opportunities to get involved.