‘Everyone’s welcome’: Montreal’s MUHC has over 800 volunteers

Alleviate loneliness, provide support and companionship — these are just some of the important ways volunteers help at Montreal’s McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) – a hospital needs its volunteers, and the MUHC has over 800.

“We have a lot of people who want to make a difference in the community,” said Erin Kennedy, manager of Volunteer Services at the MUHC.

“These are people who have also been with us for years,” she added. “Who derive from students, who are of the older population as well.”

From wayfinding – volunteers helping patients find their way around the hospital – to their hospitality cart.

There’s a wide variety of opportunities for those looking to help.  

“We have programs here that they have that direct contact,” said Kennedy. “They see the difference that they make.”

“The first step would be to knock on the door and introduce ourselves,” explained Tina Psycharis, MUHC volunteer. “Then ask them if they want coffee, tea or the biscuits that we offer.”

“We have to have volunteers for everything right nowadays,” said one hospital patient who accepted cookies from the hospitality cart. “It’s great, I think its wonderful.”

The MUHC foundation says they are proud to support the Volunteer Services – In the past two years, they’ve funded over $116,000 towards the program.

“They provide the perfect complimentary care to the patients,” said Marie-Hélène Laramée, the MUHC Foundation’s President and CEO. “The doctors and the nurses here are so busy trying to give incredible care to the patients who come here every day.”

“The volunteers are here to give that extra human boost of care,” she added. “Which is so important to the healing of our patients.”

“It brings me great joy,” said Jaden Pantazis, volunteer at the MUHC. “Just to know you can have a positive impact on their day.”

“It’s a joy every time I come here,” added Psycharis. “I feel the experience is really worthwhile.”

The MUHC welcomes anyone to volunteer, encouraging the community to fill out a volunteer application on their website.

“They really make a difference,” said Kennedy. “If anyone’s interested, everyone’s welcome.”

“We’re open arms for everybody.”