‘Showing patients that they’re not alone’
Social work student finds joy by tapping into her inner child during afternoons spent with sick kids
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 05/02/2024 (779 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Volunteering is child’s play for Lilian Talabis.
The 22-year-old University of Manitoba student spends her Thursday afternoons at Children’s Hospital, interacting with young patients.
“A lot of the patients are playful, have big imaginations and help you tap into your own inner child,” Talabis says. “It’s just a really fun experience.”
Visitors have various duties, including assisting parents with supervision of siblings, seasonal decorating, tidying and maintaining play equipment and supplies and cleaning toys.
Sometimes, Talabis finds herself holding infants or reading to babies. Other times, she pushes the book cart from room to room, offering patients reading material and DVDs to watch.
Talabis has also appeared on The Good Day Show, a live program that airs on the hospital’s closed-circuit TV station. The daily show aims to enrich patients’ lives through fun and entertainment.
She spends the majority of her time, however, interacting with patients and doing whatever activity they want. The hospital has a room with video games, board games and an air hockey table, so there’s always something to do.
Talabis fondly recalls playing chess with a kind, inquisitive young patient who told Talabis about a time when a friend wished them happy birthday, and how much that meant to them.
Volunteer opportunities
The following is a list of volunteer opportunities for Winnipeg and surrounding areas. For more information about these listings, contact the organization directly. Volunteer Manitoba does not place volunteers with organizations but can help people find opportunities. To learn more about its programs and services, go to www.volunteermanitoba.ca or call 204-477-5180.
The following is a list of volunteer opportunities for Winnipeg and surrounding areas. For more information about these listings, contact the organization directly. Volunteer Manitoba does not place volunteers with organizations but can help people find opportunities. To learn more about its programs and services, go to www.volunteermanitoba.ca or call 204-477-5180.
Marymound and Fish Futures need volunteers for the second annual Gimli Ice Fishing Derby, which will be held on South Beach in Gimli on March 2. The net proceeds will be distributed equally between Marymound and Fish Futures. The money is used to help vulnerable children throughout Manitoba, and for fisheries enhancement and education. Apply online at wfp.to/jIM by Feb. 26.
The Council of Women of Winnipeg, founded in 1894, needs board members interested in advocating and making a difference in the lives of women and families. People with backgrounds in fundraising, communication and technical support are encouraged to apply. Volunteers must attend monthly board meetings and do occasional ad-hoc work. Email councilwomenwinnipeg@gmail.com by Feb. 28.
The Henteleff Park Foundation needs a communications committee chair to serve on its board of directors. The chair will guide committee members in their efforts to present the public face of the foundation through social, community and mainstream media, and via the Henteleff Park website, newsletters and public events. This position is an opportunity to learn about the park’s beautiful lands, plants and wildlife. Email john.borody@henteleffpark.org by June 30.
Festival du Voyageur needs enthusiastic volunteers to fill key positions, including playground supervision, parking co-ordination and eco-voyageur activities. For more information, or to apply, go to heho.ca by Feb. 15.
Recreation Manitoba needs volunteers for its upcoming conference and trade show, which is returning as an in-person event for the first time since 2020. Volunteers are being sought to help with a variety of duties, including registration, session monitoring and social media. This is an opportunity to gain skills and explore career opportunities in recreation management, kinesiology, business and other fields. Volunteers of all ages are welcome, and flexible hours are available. Email h.reimer@brandon.ca or apply online at wfp.to/jVF by Feb. 21.
Parkinson Canada needs a SuperWalk co-ordinator to organize events in Winnipeg, mentor volunteers and oversee all aspects of the event. Candidates should have strong leadership, organizational and communication skills. The opportunity requires a time commitment of six to eight hours per month from March to October, with the event usually taking place in early September. The position requires a reimbursed criminal record check. Email jerlynn.rycroft@parkinson.ca or apply at wfp.to/jns by March 1.
Mennonite Central Committee’s Kildonan Thrift Shop needs volunteers to join its home decor department. Among other duties, volunteers will be responsible for cleaning donated vases using a commercial dishwasher and then pricing and displaying them. Some light lifting is required, and the ability to operate a commercial washer (training/instruction provided) is necessary. An interest in and knowledge of home decor is an asset. Shifts are generally four hours, with daytime and weekend availability needed. Email vc@kmthrift.ca, apply online at wfp.to/jnK or call 204-668-0967 (ext. 5) by March 31.
Actionmarguerite St-Boniface needs recreation assistants. The volunteers will help staff members with programs and activities, including assisting residents get to and from program areas, handing out refreshments and snacks, and socializing with residents. The opportunity is open to candidates of all ages and backgrounds, and scheduling is flexible. Email compassioncrew@reseaucompassionnetwork.ca, apply online at wfp.to/jJq or call 204-803-6949 by June 29.
U-Turn Parkinson’s needs online class support in Steinbach. Volunteers will help set up chairs, equipment and the necessary technology for the live-streamed classes. Volunteers will take attendance and supervise the class. Volunteers will also monitor the live stream’s audio and video quality and communicate any issues to a staff member. Apply online at wfp.to/jJr (resumé optional) or email info@uturnpd.org by Dec. 31. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
Misericordia Health Centre needs interviewers to help administer and collect survey responses from patients related to the aspects of care they received. The volunteer will use a tablet to administer and collect survey responses in a manner respectful of the patient’s privacy, while remaining unbiased and supportive. The opportunity requires a criminal record and child-abuse registry checks. The ideal candidate will be available during daytime hours, conscientious and reliable, with good organizational skills. Email pmccauley@misericordia.mb.ca.
The Canadian Red Cross needs volunteers. The Red Cross can show you how to help when disaster strikes. Go to wfp.to/0pE, email volunteer@redcross.ca or call 1-844-818-2155.
“It reminded me how important it is to show people how much you care for them,” Talabis says. “It also showed me how important volunteering with kids is — the role you have in showing you care for everybody and showing patients that they’re not alone.”
“I think having someone there to connect with really helps with their mental health,” she adds. “It’s really important for kids to know there’s someone there that cares for them.”
Talabis was inspired to get involved by her older sister, Mariel, who has also volunteered as a children’s ward visitor.
Volunteering at the hospital has had a positive impact on their career aspirations. Talabis is a social work student and her sister is in medical school.
“I recognize (from volunteering) I do enjoy working with other people and care a lot about people,” Talabis says. “It brings a lot of joy for me.”
She traces the desire to help others to her upbringing. Her father is a refugee from Sudan and her mother is from the Philippines.
Being raised by a single mother and spending a lot of time with her mother’s side of the family showed Talabis the different barriers people can face depending on their background.
“Everyone deserves to live a full life,” she says. “(I want) to see a world where it’s more fair for everyone. That’s kind of why I’m interested in giving back to the community.”
Volunteers provide essential support to the delivery of patient care at the Children’s Hospital and the rest of Health Sciences Centre, according to Hanin Abdullah, administrator of volunteer resources.
Whether it’s delivering reading material, chatting with patients or helping families find their way around HSC, volunteers are integral.
“(They) have the capacity to support our patients in a way that sometimes staff might not be able to due to time constraints,” Abdullah says. “Volunteers provide that invaluable assistance to help strengthen HSC’s programs.”
HSC has volunteer opportunities available for people of all ages, including adult patient support, children’s patient support, clerical support and gift shop support.
Apply at hsc.mb.ca/volunteers.
If you know a special volunteer, please contact aaron.epp@gmail.com.
Aaron Epp reports on business for the Free Press. After freelancing for the paper for a decade, he joined the staff full-time in 2024. Read more about Aaron.
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