The response by the community to volunteer during the face of COVID-19 has been overwhelming, says Karrie-Ann Wilkie, communications and outreach officer with Volunteer Nova Scotia.
So much so that currently in Nova Scotia, there are more volunteers interested in helping out than are positions available.
It’s not a lack of volunteer jobs that need to be done, but rather the difficulty non-profit organizations are having reframing and reinventing themselves.
“It isn’t always as easy as one would think to just post a volunteer position during a time when non-profit programs have been turned on their heads,” says Wilike. “These non-profits have had to change the way that they work and the current programs they offer.”
That has not stopped individuals and organizations from stepping up to offer support amid COVID-19 on Prince Edward Island.
The P.E.I. government created a directory called “Islanders Helping Islanders Volunteer Services” which MLA Sidney MacEwen for District 7, covering Morell to Donagh, says was initially to find groups with which to partner. The government reached out to MLAs to help identify the opportunities within the community.
When the news first started breaking about COVID-19, says MacEwen, an amazing thing happened. In all the uncertainty and fear, people start standing up. Leaders were coming out of the woodwork to help, he says.
“It felt like people who were not on the front lines or deemed essential workers felt in a way helpless and wanted a way to show their support,” says MacEwen. “So many people messaged me privately to say they would volunteer in a second. I know it was my first thought too. How can I help?”
From grocery support to small business mentoring, dog walking and general community support, names and contacts of individuals and groups willing to help are listed in the database.
“I was so proud of our community and really of PEI in general,” said MacEwen.
Nova Scotia also has a COVID-19-related database for organizations to post their volunteer needs, and would-be volunteers to look for opportunities. Non-profits can visit www.volunteerns.ca and create a position description.
Databases like these are particularly helpful for students who may be looking for volunteer opportunities to meet the requirements for the Federal Canada Student Service Grant to receive tuition aid if they volunteer over the summer. According to Wilkie, details of this funding program have not been completely worked out yet.
Amongst the willingness of people to volunteer, there are still health and safety protocols that need to be followed. All organizations must have a public health plan in place for their volunteers, says Wilkie.
Even with a public health plan, many places have suspended volunteer programs at this time. This includes senior care facilities like the Dr. John M. Gillis Memorial Lodge in Belfast, PEI, where activity director Jill Harris says volunteering is on hold for the moment until restrictions are reduced and it’s safer for residents.
TheRegional Health Authority in Newfoundland has also put all volunteer activities on hold during COVID-19; however, according to Gayle St. Croix, director of communications, the health authority is reviewing the current situation and considering potential opportunities to engage in virtual or remote volunteering.
“The potential for virtual volunteer opportunities will be determined in the coming weeks once we undergo a needs assessment and best practices in implementation,” says St. Croix.
Although the majority of volunteer activities have been on hold, St. Croix says the Patient Experience Advisors program (patients, residents, and family members who have had lived experiences within Central Health) continues through virtual means. And, they are always looking for more volunteers within Central Newfoundland at www.centralhealth.nl.ca/patient-family-advisor.
Worldwide virtual volunteer opportunities can be found online through organizations like the United Nations, Bookshare, and Translators Without Borders. Volunteers apply for the positions and are assigned tasks like translation work, creative design, and more. Worldwide volunteer activities are available here and here.
We’ve had to give up a lot in the name of stopping the spread of coronavirus, but one thing you don’t need to give up right now is volunteering.
Simple ways to help out if you can’t formally volunteer:
- Pick up trash and litter in your neighbourhood or on a trail.
- Make a donation to a food bank or another helping organization. Many are accepting financial donations in lieu of physical items – check with the organization on preferences.
- Check in on senior neighbours, friends, and acquaintances to see if they require help picking up items, or bring them some pre-made meals
