Volunteering in palliative care is a uniquely rewarding experience. Thanks to the generous support of Cedars CanSupport (MUHC), Hope & Cope (JGH) and Community Relations and Volunteer Services at the Mount Sinai Hospital Centre (MSHC), palliative care volunteers at each of our sites are well trained and well supported by our invaluable volunteer coordinators (contact information below). As members of the palliative care team, volunteers are given the opportunity to accompany patients at the end of life and their families within the supportive environment of an experienced interdisciplinary team. Montreal’s cultural diversity affords palliative care volunteers the opportunity to interact with people from all walks of life and to broaden one’s sense of community.
To assist staff in providing patients and families with optimum quality of life, volunteers ensure the availability of refreshments, reading materials, accompaniment for short walks on and off the unit, friendly conversation, a quiet presence, social teas, cocktail hour, help with personal hygiene (shaving, manicures), fresh flowers for new and returning patients, and preparation of small gifts for special occasions.
To become a palliative care volunteer, a mandatory training session must be completed.
For more information on training sessions and volunteer programs at each centre, please contact:
McGill University Health Centre (MUHC & Lachine Hospital)
Cedars CanSupport
Virginia.lee [at] muhc.mcgill.ca (Virginia Lee): 514-934-1934 ext 37053
Jewish General Hospital
Hope and Cope/L’Espoir c’est la vie
rhanfling [at] jgh.mcgill.ca (Rifka Hanfling): 514-340-8222 ext 23985
Maison St. Raphael
benevolat [at] maisonstraphael.org (Caty Blanchette): 514-736-2001
Mount Sinai
isadora.de.lima.branco.ccomtl [at] ssss.gouv.qc.ca (Isadora de Lima Branco): 514-369-2222 ext 31332
St. Mary’s Hospital
maged.nicolas.comtl [at] ssss.gouv.qc.ca (Maged Nicolas): 514-345-3511 ext 5541
Teresa Dellar Palliative Care Residence
csurette [at] tdpcr.ca (Cori-Ann Surette: )514-693-1718 ext 264