“I am so privileged and fortunate to be working with such wonderful volunteers,” said Diane Desroches, Talent and Volunteer Services Co-ordinator. “I go home each and every day feeling so good and fulfilled about the work our volunteers do.”

As one of four standalone specialty mental health and addictions hospitals in Ontario, Waypoint serves some of the province’s most complex and disadvantaged populations. National Volunteer Week is a chance to pause and express gratitude toward the people who contribute to providing safe, compassionate and patient-centred care.

“Our volunteers create positive impacts at Waypoint and in our community,” said Desroches, adding volunteers complement the work of staff and provide additional support to run programs with patients.

Waypoint currently has 70 volunteers and is building on that since the pandemic. Volunteers typically spend one to three hours a week in such areas as the gift shop, recreation activities, pet therapy, music programs and more. In total, volunteers contribute up to 3,500 hours per year to the hospital.

Humza Shahid, 23, is one of those volunteers. Since November, he has spent one day each week with patients in the recreational department. A typical day may involve spending time in the computer lab or supervising gym activities, as well as swimming, sports, hiking or other recreational pursuits.

“Just to be distracted from (your troubles) is very important in mental health,” he said. “Helping patients to do that is what gives me a sense of fulfilment while working at Waypoint. It makes me want to keep doing this.”

Desroches noted volunteers have many different life experiences, but they all have at least one thing in common: their willingness to give their time to help others.

“They provide skills, talents, support, compassion, encouragement, intellect and humour,” she said, “and they give our patients hope, strength and courage.”

On top of the roles listed above, the many volunteer opportunities at Waypoint also include fundraising/events, research volunteer, income tax assistance, spiritual care/social visitor and more. The hospital’s board members are also volunteers. Anyone who would like to help make a differencecan email ddesroches@waypointcentre.ca to learn about volunteer positions at Waypoint.

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The café is operated by the Auxiliary to South Muskoka Memorial Hospital, and has withstood a number of challenges throughout its 20 years in operation. In its first month of business, the kiosk closed for a short time due to the outbreak of SARS. Fast forward to 2020 and the café was again facing closure with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Muskoka Mocha team was thrilled to reopen for service in early April 2022.

From its inception in 2003 until 2019, thanks to the hard work of the volunteer team and the generous support of café patrons, Muskoka Mocha has grossed just over a million dollars in sales! Proceeds are used to support the Auxiliary’s mission to buy much-needed hospital equipment and technology for the South Muskoka site.

Since 2017, fundraising efforts have been augmented by also dedicating all gratuities to purchase smaller pieces of equipment needed throughout the hospital departments. Gratuities earned from 2017 to 2019 were used to purchase four pieces of smaller equipment including a Welch Allyn Vital Spot Monitor with stand, Sara Stedy sit-to-stand aid, and a digital baby scale. The Muskoka Mocha team plans to utilize gratuities collected since reopening to purchase equipment valued at just over $3,600.

Currently, the Muskoka Mocha team is comprised of 19 dedicated volunteers who work seven days a week to keep patrons caffeinated and their sweet tooth satisfied with freshly baked cookies.

National Volunteer Week (April 16-22) is a platform for us all to say thanks to the many volunteers who help make our hospitals stronger. It is a special time to let them know their efforts and commitment are appreciated, not only during volunteer week, but every day of the year. Volunteers are part of the fabric that makes Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare as vibrant as it is!

While the hospital’s volunteer base is strong, the Auxiliary is always looking for special people who are seeking a meaningful volunteer opportunity. If you or someone you know is interested, they can reach out to Karen Bellamy, Coordinator of Volunteers, at 705-645-4404 ext. 3338 or visit www.mahc.ca/smmhauxiliary to learn more about getting involved or to apply to become a volunteer.

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