AHS celebrates National Volunteer Week (April 10-16)

RED DEER — Alberta Health Services (AHS) is celebrating volunteers across the Central Zone next week for the vital role they play in support of patients, residents, families and staff.

During National Volunteer Week, which runs April 10 to 16, facilities throughout Central Zone will be hosting special events to thank volunteers for their hard work and commitment.

Last year, 3,300 volunteers were registered with AHS throughout central Alberta. These volunteers, along with 180 community groups and 28 Auxiliaries, contributed over 167,000 hours of their time and talents to helping patients, families, visitors and staff.

Volunteers contribute in many ways, including helping:

• Locate various services within the hospital, getting patients active and moving around, visiting patients and residents in care, providing mealtime assistance and spiritual care services and increasing patient engagement through fun games, outings, art activities and pet visitation programs.
• Serve as patient and family advisors on AHS committees, including local auxiliaries, foundations and associations.
• Support staff, patients and clients in clinical areas, such as laboratories, diagnostic imaging, nursing units and pre-op assessment, as well as with home care, public health and other community services.
• Support staff with general duties, such as photocopying, folding linens and collecting wheelchairs.

To learn more about becoming a volunteer with AHS, and to explore the opportunities that exist, visit http://www.albertahealthservices.ca/info/page10421.aspx.

National Volunteer Week began in 1943 to focus attention on the home-front contributions of women during the Second World War. By the late 1960s, the week had evolved to include all community volunteers. Today, it’s Canada's largest celebration in honour of volunteers.

Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than four million adults and children living in Alberta. Its mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans.

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