Volunteering at Springdale has fulfilled a promise Lynda Rose made to herself

‘I always said, if I had time, this is what I would do’

SPRINGVILLE, Ont. – Lynda Rose recalls how when her mother was living in a retirement home in North Bay she would make a monthly drive up to visit her. Lynda says she wished she could have spent more time with her mother, but she had a career and they lived far apart, so that was not always possible.

So Lynda made a promise to herself: when she reached a time in her life when she had more time, she would volunteer with seniors.

Since last autumn, Lynda has been volunteering at Springdale Country Manor. She was attracted to Springdale’s small size, but it has been the residents and staff members that have kept her volunteering.

“I always said, if I had time, this is what I would do, spend time with (long-term care residents) who maybe don’t have a lot of visitors, and this place is great; everyone is so friendly and the staff and the residents have accepted me,” she tells The OMNIway.

As a volunteer, Lynda fills many roles. Portering residents, handing out refreshments, providing one-to-one time and helping with activities are among the volunteering duties Lynda undertakes at the Peterborough-area long-term care home.

Springdale Country Manor life enrichment co-ordinator (LEC) Sonia Murney says when Lynda is helping residents participate in programming, she also becomes involved with the activity.

“She actively participates in the programming as a participant,” the LEC says, adding Lynda’s No. 1 strength is the one-to-one time she provides residents. “Lynda is fabulous at sitting and talking with the residents who need a little bit extra attention. Those little extra bits of care she gives with her one-on-ones is amazing.”

Lynda says her favourite part of volunteering at Springdale is getting to know residents and learning about their lives. Knowing these personal connections she creates with residents are making a difference makes volunteering even more meaningful, she says.

“Often, they’ll give me a hug when it’s time for me to leave, and that’s always really nice,” she says.

April 7-13 was National Volunteer Week 2019. The week was marked by events nationwide that celebrate volunteers and all they do to enrich the lives of others. This year marked the 78th National Volunteer Week.

If you have a story you would like to share with The OMNIway, please contact the newsroom at deron(at)axiomnews.com.

If you have feedback on this story, please contact the newsroom at deron(at)axiomnews.com.