Print 
Share 
Text 
To reset, hold the Ctrl key, then press 0.
Our volunteers provide an array of important services, from designing new technology to inspiring the next generation of health-care workers. Whatever their role, all of our volunteers are working to enhance the quality of care for patients and their families. In honour of this year’s National Volunteer Week, we’re spotlighting some of our volunteers who have given us the invaluable gift of their time and dedication.
The Ottawa Hospital Rehabilitation Centre assists patients who have experienced a disabling physical illness or injury, helping them maximize their independence and rebuild their lives. Retiree Claude Bédard volunteers with the Centre, visiting patients in their rooms and providing companionship during their road to recovery.
“I find it interesting to just chat with them,” says Claude. “They have such resolve and are so strong and so determined that they’re going to adapt to their new lives.”
For years, Claude would take patients out to Tim Hortons or Second Cup just to get them out of their rooms. With these coffee outings helping patients socialize, Claude got the idea to bring the communal atmosphere of a coffee house to the Rehabilitation Centre. After partnering with the Centre’s recreation department, Claude and a few other volunteers began hosting a coffee club, serving coffee and good conversation to patients twice a week.
“Some people are in the Centre for a while, so this is a great way to get them to socialize.”
Claude wishes that he made time to volunteer during his working years because he finds deep joy in providing companionship to those in need. “A volunteer coordinator once put it into words for me, ‘If I can get a smile of out somebody who’s having a real rough time, that’s my paycheck.’”
Feeling inspired?
We are re-building our volunteer services slowly and will open a few opportunities every few months, so please check the website regularly for updates. We look forward to welcoming our community back into the hospital to help improve the patient experience! Visit our volunteer page for more information.
Meet more of our inspiring volunteers
- Med school hopeful Anne-Marie helps patients navigate hospital COVID protocols
- A busy nursing schedule hasn’t stopped Bao-Anh from volunteering
- Joanna helps guide chemotherapy patients through uncertain times
- Jocelyn inspires the next generation of health-care workers through virtual co-op program
- ‘I got discharged, and I never really left’: Former patient Maxime volunteers his coding skills
Support patient care and research at
The Ottawa Hospital
You might also like…
February is Black History Month
Five members of The Ottawa Hospital’s Black community reflect on what this month means to them, their heritage and the importance of building a truly equitable health care system.
The place to be: The Ottawa Hospital recognized as one of Canada’s most admired corporate cultures
The Ottawa Hospital (TOH) has been named one of Canada’s most admired corporate cultures. Guided by compassion and commitment to patient care, TOH has developed a workplace culture that inspires confidence and trust in our employees, patients and family members.
2SLGBTQIA+ care at The Ottawa Hospital: A helpful guide
The Ottawa Hospital offers an array of services and resources to help meet the specific care needs of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community — including a provincial-first gender-affirming surgery clinic, a 24/7 care program for survivors of sexual assault and intimate partner violence, and a specialty clinic for medically complex patients seeking help on their transition journeys.
“It’s about giving them hope and purpose”: Ottawa Inner City Health’s Block Leaders program marks one year serving the community
Seven days a week, Block Leaders head out into the ByWard Market to help fellow members of their community who are unhoused or use drugs. They provide support to people in distress, respond to overdoses and even clean their neighbourhood — all with the goal of creating a safer and healthier community for everyone.
A volunteer program that taps into the power of music
Studies have shown that music can benefit the body, mind, relationships and community. Musical Moments is a program where volunteers play live music to support positive outcomes for patients, visitors and staff.
We’ve got you covered: The Ottawa Hospital now offers bandages for a variety of skin tones
Whenever you’ve scraped your knee or had your blood drawn, odds are your bandage was the same colour every time. Peach has been the default hue for over a century — but no longer at The Ottawa Hospital.