When we hear about Canadian healthcare in the news, it is usually about long wait times, crowded waiting rooms, and tired staff. But inside hospitals, clinics, and small towns, everyday people are stepping up to bring warmth, comfort, and care where it is needed most.
A special series by The Globe and Mail, called Care Between the Lines, and featured on their podcast The Decibel, takes a close look at these quiet helpers. Doctors and nurses take care of medical needs. Volunteers, on the other hand, take care of people. They offer emotional support, a friendly smile, and practical help that make tough days a little easier.
Across the country, these volunteers show up in simple but powerful ways:
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Comforting Newborns: At St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, volunteer cuddlers spend quiet hours holding babies in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). This simple act gives babies the human touch they need while giving tired parents time to rest or care for other kids at home.
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Bringing Courage Through Art: At the Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton, a volunteer hand-paints radiotherapy masks for children facing cancer treatments. Turning a scary medical mask into a hockey helmet or superhero face gives young patients a boost of courage during a frightening time.
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Driving Neighbors to Care: In rural Saskatchewan, public bus routes ended years ago. Volunteers with the Gravelbourg Cares Shuttle Service Inc. step in, driving long highway trips so seniors and patients can reach cancer or heart specialists in Regina and Moose Jaw. Without these rides, many people would have to leave their home communities for good.
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Getting Fresh Air to Seniors: In Vancouver, volunteers with Cycling Without Age take care-home residents on rides through Stanley Park in specialized three-wheeled bikes. Feeling the fresh breeze and seeing the trees helps seniors sleep better, connect with others, and remember favorite memories.
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Supporting Families in Waiting Rooms: For over 75 years, the Women’s Auxiliary at SickKids in Toronto has helped families navigate long surgical waits, run play areas for brothers and sisters, and raised millions of dollars for children's care.
Research shows that for every single dollar invested in hospital volunteer programs, communities get nearly seven dollars worth of value back. But you cannot put a price tag on a kind word, a warm blanket, or a safe ride home.
Hospitals, community shuttles, and senior centers in your area are always looking for friendly faces to lend a hand.
Take a look at our local volunteer listings today, and find out how an hour or two of your week can brighten someone’s day.
