RIDGEWOOD VETERANS WING
VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES

The Ridgewood Veterans Wing is the Residential Nursing facility in Saint John for Veterans. Although housed in its own building, which opened in 1976, it is a unit of the Saint John Regional Hospital. Ridgewood is always seeking caring, reliable people to assist patients. People from l4 years to senior citizens have found volunteering at the Hospital a challenging and rewarding experience.

Volunteers are encouraged to select a volunteer project most suited to their interests. Suggestions as to other ways in which a volunteer or group of volunteers could assist would be gladly entertained by the Coordinator of Volunteer Services and the Recreationist, Ridgewood Veterans Wing.

Volunteers receive orientation and training before beginning their volunteer activities.

Bowling
Cards
Discussion Group
Entertainment Host
General Activities
Library
Movie Night
Outings
Pet Therapy
Reading Group
Sports Club
Swimming
TV Bingo
Visiting

BOWLING - Tuesday 1:30 - 3:00 p.m.

Volunteers will be responsible for assisting the Veterans and setting up the bowling pins.

CARDS - Wednesdays 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.

Volunteers will escort card players to the Wheelchair Dining Room. They will organize teams. Auction 45's, Cribbage, or other card games may be played.

DISCUSSION GROUP -  Tuesday & Thursday

The volunteer will escort selected Veterans to and from the activity area. They will provide mental stimulation to the Veterans by playing word games, by asking trivia questions and by discussing present day events.

ENTERTAINMENT HOST - Weekday Evenings As required

Volunteers will arrive 1/2 hour before the performance. They will set up the 6:00 - 8:30 p.m. entertainment area with the assistance of the Commissionaires. They will escort Veterans to this area. The Volunteer will greet entertainers as they arrive and will publicly introduce and thank them. If necessary, they will give them a payment envelope. If asked, Volunteers will escort Veterans away from the area at the end of the performance. Before leaving, they will tidy the performance area.

GENERAL ACTIVITIES - Weekends

Volunteers will assist with a variety of activities throughout the week.

LIBRARY - Mon - Friday As arranged

Volunteers will assist the Recreation Staff with the organization of the Veteran's Library.

MOVIE NIGHT - Mondays 6:30 - 9:00 p.m.

Volunteers will start a selected movie in the VCR. They will make popcorn in the Recreation Office and serve it to the Veterans. They will watch the movie and assist the Veterans if necessary. At the end of the evening, the Volunteer will tidy the T.V. room and return the movie to Recreation office.

OUTINGS - As arranged

Volunteers help the Recreation Staff  during outings by assisting Veterans; pushing wheelchairs and providing company for individual Veterans.

PET THERAPY - Last Monday of each month 2:00 - 3:30 p.m.

Volunteers will take puppies and kittens through the facility, visiting with as many Veterans as possible. 

READING GROUP - Mon-Wed-Fri

Volunteers will be responsible for escorting selected Veterans to the Library. They will then read short stories or poetry to the Veterans and lead a discussion about what was read.

SPORTS CLUB - Wed, Thurs. or Fri.

Volunteers will help the Recreation Staff by escorting Veterans to the sports area. They will assist the Veterans with various sports activities.

SWIMMING - To Be Announced

Volunteers will assist Recreation Staff by assisting Veterans in putting their belongings in lockers. They will swim with the Veterans and participate in pool exercises.

T.V. BINGO - Thursday 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Volunteers will set up the T.V. set in the Bingo area. They will escort Veterans to the Wheelchair Dining Room and give them Bingo cards and ink pens. If necessary, a Volunteer will call the designated phone number if a Veteran wins a game.

VISITING - Tuesday & Thurs.

 Volunteers regularly visit lonely long term Veterans. Volunteers are encouraged to talk, read or play card games.