Volunteering

Do you:

  • 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. 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 helping seniors by offering an empathetic ear and good conversation for years… and it is working!

But with an overwhelming need for connection, 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 helping seniors. Volunteers must complete the application form, be willing to present or acquire a police record check for the vulnerable sector every year and participate in the training program. We ask volunteers for a 3-hour commitment per week to answer calls at the call centre or remotely.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer for A Friendly Voice…

Click the button below and complete the application form.

A Rewarding Experience

Hear from our Volunteers

When I first joined A Friendly Voice, I was hoping that (in some small way) I could make a difference in the lives of others. While I hope that has been true, the real change has happened in my life. I so look forward to my weekly shifts when I can re-connect with our regular clients and the opportunity to make new friends who call us. I could not have anticipated how much joy I would feel for giving such a small amount of my time.
KB
Volunteering for AFV has been an extremely enriching experience in my life. Being able to make personal connections with seniors around Ontario makes me feel connected to my community in a broader way than is typically accessible to young adults. It’s rewarding to speak with the callers, over time developing a rapport and connection with them, and to know that I'm making their day a little bit brighter for it too. You can really tell that you're making a positive impact on the callers. Plus, the stories you hear are a delight, and it's a great way to broaden your perspective on life. What AFV provides the community is so valuable, I am proud to be a part of it.
VH
Volunteering with AFV has helped me connect with the Ottawa community and beyond during an unprecedented, challenging, and isolating time. I learn about different towns, regions, people’s experiences and stories as I chat with interesting seniors from all over Ontario. The AFV program is important and valuable. It is run by the amazing ROSSS staff who provide ongoing training, education, and support, allowing volunteers to hone skills and develop new ones too. This has benefited me personally and professionally. If you are looking for an opportunity to make a small difference and boost the feeling of purpose, I highly recommend joining our group of fun, kind and diverse volunteers.
LK
Being a Friendly Voice volunteer is interesting and rewarding. The program is well managed, and volunteers are trained and supported. Since retirement, I have wanted to become involved in the broader community and almost a year ago I completed the training and became a Friendly Voice volunteer. Each week I chat with seniors from around the province and always learn something new. It is a pleasure to be on the Friendly Voice Team.
JF
I am really, really enjoying volunteering at A Friendly Voice! It's so fun never knowing whom I'm going to be talking with or what I'll be talking about when I answer the phone. Some callers really have something they want to discuss while other callers simply want to chat. In just my first few months of volunteering at A Friendly Voice I've already had a lot of fun and memorable conversations, and, in addition to boosting the social connections of the callers I think A Friendly Voice has done wonders to help boost my social connection during the times of COVID! I really, really look forward to my shifts at A Friendly Voice, and I often tell callers to call whenever they feel like chatting, because us volunteers are all social people who love chatting and we get excited whenever the phone rings! Please give us a call if you feel like chatting!
AW

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.

Phone lines are open seven days a week, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Call Toll-free: 1 (855) 892-9992