Be
Our Friendly
Voice
- Have some spare time?
- Enjoy talking to seniors?
- Want to give back to your community in a meaningful way?
Then we want you to Be Our Friendly Voice.
A Friendly Voice is looking for volunteers to take calls, listen and connect seniors with resources in their communities. And you can make all the difference.
A Friendly Voice is a free, confidential “warm line” for older adults aged 55 and above living in Ontario and the Atlantic provinces (Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island). It’s a welcoming space where you can freely connect with a caring individual without expectations or judgment. Whether someone is struggling with loneliness or simply looking to stay socially healthy and add some connection to their routine, the volunteers at A Friendly Voice have been offering an empathetic ear and good conversation for years… and it is working!
But with an overwhelming need for connection, especially throughout the pandemic, the calls continue to increase. Let’s work together. If you, (or someone you know) can contribute just a few hours per week, from the comfort and convenience of your own home, we want YOU to be our friendly voice.
A Friendly Voice provides all the training and resources you need to have a successful volunteer experience.
We want YOU to Be Our Friendly Voice.
A Rewarding Experience
Hear from our Volunteers
You’ve got questions. We’ve got answers. FAQs
How old do I need to be to volunteer?
- Applicants must be 18+ years of age to volunteer.
How does it work?
- After submitting your short application form, you will be contacted within 3 business days to schedule a short, informal get-to-know-you call where you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions and hear more about the work we do. The onboarding/training process is broken into three parts: Interview/Meet & Greet, Group Training Part 1 (Modules), and Training Part 2 (observation, shadowed calls).
How long is each phone call?
- Calls are limited to 20 – 30 minutes. Most of the regular callers know this and honour that timing.
- We will provide you with ways to thank callers for the chat, remind them that their time is up for today and encourage them to call back another day. It’s all part of your training.
What typically happens on the calls?
- Conversations can be about anything but typically range from the weather, sports, current events, food, hobbies, family, grandchildren etc. We support our senior callers through warm, friendly conversations.
What do I do if a caller asks for my advice or needs immediate / more serious help than I can provide?
- AFV is NOT a crisis line or referral service and volunteers do NOT give advice or provide counselling. You will be trained on how to direct the caller to the appropriate resources within their community or, if this is a crisis situation, on how to immediately defer the call to the appropriate authorities, emergency or crisis services.
What is the expected time commitment to volunteer?
- We ask for a minimum, 4-hour per week time commitment. Please note this is a commitment of one 4-hour block per week versus two 2-hour blocks. However, you are always welcome to take on more shifts if you are able.
Do I have to go to a call centre to take the calls?
- No, you do not! You can work your volunteer shift from the comfort and convenience of your own home. No need to travel anywhere.
Will the caller be able to see my phone number or know my name?
- All calls are answered within our private, password-protected app. No personal information is ever exposed to the caller.
Do I have control over my volunteer schedule?
- Our schedules are living, breathing documents that are produced and distributed up to 2 months in advance based on the availability of all volunteers. You will be asked about your availability for the given time period in advance and accommodated as best we can.
What if I need to change a shift?
- If an unexpected emergency comes up that requires you to miss or change a shift, please contact the volunteer manager as soon as possible so that a replacement can be found with minimal disruption.
Do you provide training?
- Yes, we provide comprehensive training and all the resources needed to ensure volunteers have a successful and rewarding experience. Our training program includes a group onboarding and training session, one-on-one shadow calls, and supervised calls until you are ready to handle the calls on your own.
- Monthly team support meetings where we discuss our successes, challenges, any changes to the procedures etc.
Do I need a Police Record Check and how much does it cost?
- Yes, a police record check for the vulnerable sector is required every year by law. Prices vary depending on your location but average approximately $20.00.
What equipment do I need to volunteer?
- You only need a phone or computer that you can download our app onto. Everything else is taken care of within the app.
Other than talking to the seniors, what else am I expected to do as part of my volunteer responsibilities?
- Volunteers are asked to complete a call log at the end of their shift. That’s all.
I still have questions. Whom should I contact?
- Feel free to call 613-692-4697 or 613-692-9992 or reach out to us at afriendlyvoice@rosss.ca with any questions.
I’m interested in becoming a phoneline volunteer. What do I do next?
- Thank you for your interest in volunteering. It means so much to us! Simply complete the application form and we’ll be in touch with you shortly.
Becoming Our
Friendly Voice
How to Apply
Join our team of volunteer heroes. It doesn’t take much to make a significant difference in the lives of lonely seniors in our community. Simply complete our short application form. Training begins soon.
