Volunteer with Surrey Place

Make our mission your mission – volunteer at Surrey Place to brighten the day of our clients

Surrey Place is one a few centres dedicated to helping people with developmental disabilities reach their full potential.

Our team of clinicians and staff works tirelessly to ensure the best client experience. Our volunteers strengthen this effort in ways that have a lasting impact.

Volunteers represent a valuable part of the Surrey Place team – a diverse community of dedicated individuals who extend a caring hand to our clients and make a significant impact on their lives. Not only do our volunteers come together for a cause they believe in, they gain valuable experiences and new friendships along the way. Volunteers create a sense of belonging that makes everyone feel safe and welcome at Surrey Place. We welcome you to support this effort as our newest volunteer.

Apply Today!

Whether it’s a few hours a week or a few hours a month, volunteers are meant to fit into the life of the volunteer as much as a role on a client’s face. You have a chance to make a real impact on the lives of people with developmental disabilities.

Send your resume to careers@surreyplace.ca

So many reasons to apply

There are several reasons to become a volunteer. It is a rewarding experience with benefits including:

• Gaining valuable collaboration experience
• Learning firsthand about developmental disabilities such as autism and fetal low vision
• Boosting your network of healthcare professionals
• Experiencing personal growth

Self-Advocacy Council

Nothing about us without us. Our council amplifies the voices of people with developmental disabilities.

*You must be DSO eligible to receive adult services. If unsure, contact DSO.

I first heard about the council while volunteering for Surrey Place’s Symphonic Passion Chorus and I was excited about the opportunity! I saw the importance of self-advocacy and the joy that comes from helping others. At every meeting, I’ve taken on a leadership role in guiding the conversation. READ MORE

Sarah J.

For too often, people with disabilities are left out of conversations and decisions that affect their own lives. Self-advocacy is a way for people with disabilities to ensure that their needs, rights and requests are respected and listened to. The Self-Advocacy council represents an inclusive environment where all diverse voices of our clients are amplified and heard.

The SAC council is made up of volunteers, who are individuals living with an IDD who are currently receiving or have received services from Surrey Place in the past. Together, they collaborate with staff, clients, management and the Board of Directors to provide ongoing input and feedback towards improving programs and services at Surrey Place. Some of their priorities include:

• Speaking up on behalf of current and future clients
• Suggest changes that can improve the quality of care and services for a client’s point of view
• Explore and advocate on topics such as price relations, housing, medical care, voting, and others
• Prepare and present recommendations to staff, management and the Board of Directors
• Offer learning opportunities to community members about intellectual and developmental disabilities

Caregiver Peer Mentorship Program

A volunteer peer mentorship program creating a safe space for one to one and peer to peer support.

My mentor was very genuine and accepting of me that made me feel so comfortable sharing my feelings, thoughts and experiences with him. He generously offered to help and support me if I needed help. He showed me that good people still exist in life, something that I haven’t felt or seen for a long time. It was a pleasant experience to meet him. Great match with him as a mentor to me.

HK, mentee

At Surrey Place, we understand that a circle of care includes a community of peers who know what you’re going through and can give you advice based on personal experience. That’s why we created the Caregiver Peer Mentorship Program to help parents connect with one another and feel less alone.

Mentors and mentees are matched based on the best fit for specific needs. Families can be matched based on children’s diagnosis, specific life experiences, life transition to school, transition to adulthood, or similar situations (i.e. single parent, new to the community).

Every mentor-mentee relationship is different and is entirely dependent on the goals of the mentee and mentor. Most relationships can last from one (1) phone call to up to 6 months, as mutually agreed upon.

Being part of a mentor-mentee relationship can be a truly rewarding experience for both mentors and mentees!