Residents have positive impact on volunteer
Phil Walker looks forward to coming to the home
Monday April 21, 2008 -- Camille Jensen
Visiting with residents and helping with activities at Riverview Manor has given Phil Walker a personal satisfaction that has changed his outlook on life.

Walker, who has been volunteering at the Peterborough long-term care home for seven years, says he never thought he would be the type of person to volunteer and is glad he was given the opportunity.

Walker was first introduced to the home after a close friend and co-worker with Alzheimer's moved in. Walker would visit his friend seven days a week for two years until he passed away.

Since then, Walker has continued to volunteer and looks forward to it each morning.

At the home Walker can be found running the tuck shop, calling bingo or spending personal time with residents. He also helps out by driving residents to appointments or taking them for coffee or a summer drive.

“I guess I do a little bit of everything but most of all I just enjoy the residents,” says Walker.

In the summer, Walker also hosts a car show, which he says “really goes over with the residents.”

At last year’s car show, Walker says residents enjoyed watching their oldest resident, who is 108, pose for pictures with a 1929 Ford.

“She was older than the car and she thought that was just great,” laughs Walker.

Mary-Lou Rayment, restorative care aide, says Walker is an asset to the home.

She says it’s through the efforts of volunteers like Walker that allows the home to participate in events, which often require extra hands and transportation.

“We need the volunteers,” says Rayment, “Otherwise we wouldn’t be able to take them on events.”

Currently, the home has 32 volunteers who help out, including students from Trent University.

In celebration of National Volunteer Week, which runs from April 27 to May 2, the home will be hosting a luncheon for their volunteers.

Anyone interested in volunteering at the home is encouraged to call Rayment at (705) 748-6706.

Do you know of a volunteer who has made a difference at one of the homes? Stories are often generated by the feedback we receive. Please share your thoughts by calling the newsroom at (800) 294-0051 ext. 24 or e-mail camille(at)axiomnews.ca.