Forest Hill employee enjoying her new job
Wednesday September 26, 2007 -- Deron Hamel
A few months after she and her family moved to the Ottawa area from India, Mridula Singh walked into Forest Hill looking for a volunteer opportunity.

With her son at school and her husband at work, Singh was finding the days long and wanted a chance to make a difference in the lives of others.

Since the Kanata long-term care home is right next to where her family lives, Singh felt it was the perfect place to volunteer.

In June, after four months of volunteering, a part-time position in the life enrichment department opened up. When management offered her the job, Singh accepted.

“I like volunteering and I was very happy to come over here,” she tells the OMNIway.

Asked what her favourite part of her job is, Singh is unable to single out one specific aspect.

“I enjoy every part,” she says. “We do lots of activities and I like to talk to (residents) and they like to talk to me. It’s never a bad day for me here.”

At first, Singh says she wondered if she would have the ability to work in long-term care. However, after three months of working as an activity aide, those concerns are now gone and she has settled into her new job.

In fact, Singh admits she enjoys her job at Forest Hill so much she says anyone pondering their future career should seriously consider long-term care as an option.

And she puts those thoughts into action.

“I have talked to at least two people about it,” she says. “I feel very good when I come here.”

Not only does working at Forest Hill provide Singh with the opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of residents, she also finds the residents make a difference in her life.

“I have learned so much from them,” she says.

Life enrichment co-ordinator Carolyn Della Foresta says Singh has been a major asset to the home — both as a volunteer and as an activity aide.

What amazes Della Foresta is Singh’s ability to immediately anticipate what tasks will need to be done.

“She can look around the room and she finds what has to be done,” she says.

Anyone interested in a volunteering opportunity or a career at an OMNI home can learn more by calling the head office at (705) 748-6631.