This week in our Stepping Up series we meet Elaine Shaw, who enjoys volunteering in the Extended Care Unit of Lady Minto Hospital.
In addition to raising funds for Lady Minto Hospital, Greenwoods and Braehaven through Thrift Shop sales, the Lady Minto Hospital Auxiliary (LMHA) provides volunteers for the Extended Care Unit (ECU) at Lady Minto Hospital. LMHA volunteers take care of a regular coffee/tea/cookie service, buying treats for residents and assisting the activity coordinator with special events.
Read about volunteer Elaine Shaw’s experience as an ECU volunteer below, and if you think you might be interested in joining her and other team members, send an email to lmhas22@outlook.com or phone the ECU activity co-ordinator at the hospital at 250-538-4809.
Q. How long have you been volunteering at the hospital’s Extended Care Unit (ECU)?
A. For about two years.
Q. What attracted you to this particular group?
A. At a party I mentioned to someone that as I was retired I enjoyed doing volunteer work on the island to keep me busy. She mentioned the ECU and asked if I would like to go in with her and check it out one day.
Q. What role do you have now and what other roles have you had?
A. I spend one hour on Wednesdays making coffee and tea, serving that and cookies to the residents. I also took on buying the cookies with money from the auxiliary and Country Grocer.
Q. What past experience have you had that has been helpful in your role(s)?
A. When I lived in West Vancouver, I had a wonderful gentle Lab. He and I went for training for him to be a “visiting dog” at Hollyburn House retirement home and the children’s hospital. It was lovely to chat and see smiles on the faces. I did that for a couple of years. So the ECU seemed a good fit, for me.
Q. What do you like best about volunteering at the ECU?
A. Being able to chat and get smiles from residents over a funny story or event from the island. Hugs (when needed), and holding hands for a while always leaves smiles.
Q. What is something that has surprised you or you did not expect?
A. Honestly, being there made me think about my own future, preparing a little and how that should be best for myself.
Q. Is there an anecdote or memory you have that epitomizes the volunteer experience for you?
A. When someone is having a really sad “lost” day, sitting and chatting with a little hug can make a big difference.
Q. How long have you lived on Salt Spring?
A. Almost 15 years.
Q. How else might islanders know you?
A. Islanders might know me from the golf course, which I used to be very involved with. Other volunteer jobs I have are meeting cars from the ferry carrying animals that are coming here from Vancouver Island for treatment at the Island Wildlife Natural Care Centre (as needed); one hour per week at the recycle depot’s book shed, sorting donations and maintaining the space; and staffing the Visitor Information Centre on two Fridays per month. It sounds like a lot, but really it’s not. I have lots of time left to play golf, do my hobby of pottery and to dog sit for friends now and then.
Q. In a nutshell, why would you recommend volunteering with the LMHA at the ECU?
A. For the one hour a week — which is the volunteer time most of us do — it can make a huge difference in both the residents’ and your own well-being.
Volunteering on the island can be for everyone, and it doesn’t have to be a huge time commitment at all, just an hour or two on whatever day you feel is open. So many options are there to be found. The ECU is very rewarding and one day you yourself may need a helping hand or a hug!
Salt Spring non-profit groups wanting to participate in the Stepping Up series should contact Driftwood editor Gail Sjuberg at news@gulfislandsdriftwood.com or 250-537-9933.