Volunteer family raises residents’ spirits
Tuesday, April 10, 2007 -- Deron Hamel
John Clatworthy has made volunteering at Woodland Villa in Long Sault a family affair.

After his cousin’s wife passed away about three years ago, Clatworthy moved from Prince George, B.C., to Long Sault to help his cousin take care of his three children.

Clatworthy makes a point of bringing the children to the home to help out. The children spend time talking to residents and bringing them refreshments. Clatworthy says he and the children enjoy the time they spend at the home.

“It’s worthwhile,” he says. “I think it’s good for the kids, too. They’re a big hit here.”

Rita Tremblay, life enrichment co-ordinator at Woodland Villa, notes the importance of having children come into the home to spend time with residents.

“It’s very important to have the younger generation come into the home,” she says. “They bring youth into the home.”

Clatworthy, who volunteers four or five times a week at Woodland Villa, says he enjoys the work he does at the long-term care home. A big part of his work at the home involves getting residents to and from activities in the home. He also spends time chatting with them and getting them food and drinks.

“(Residents) are very nice,” he says. “They’re all very friendly and you can joke with them.”

Clatworthy volunteered at a long-term care home in Prince George and enjoyed his time there. Woodland Villa is located behind his cousin’s house, and Clatworthy decided to take advantage of the close proximity to help make a difference in the lives of residents.

“It’s quite handy,” he says.

Living close to the home, the enjoyment he gets from helping residents and the “great stories” residents tell him are big reasons Clatworthy volunteers his time at Woodland Villa.

Having a mother in a long-term care home and a father who had Alzheimer’s disease are other factors which push Clatworthy in his desire to volunteer.

Having grown up in nearby Winchester, Clatworthy has discovered some interesting connections with residents at the home.

“We have a gentleman who once drove my mom home,” he says. “(Another man) knows people who went to my granddad’s funeral.”

Because of its location outside of a major centre, Tremblay says, recruiting volunteers can be a challenge for the home. She says the home is grateful to Clatworthy for his help.

“I think he is a good asset to the home,” she says. “He’s faithful here. You can always count on him.”

Anyone interested in volunteering at Woodland Villa can contact the home at (613) 534-2276.