Skip to content
Join our Newsletter

Vital People: Oak Bay Volunteer Services

Seniors weathering the COVID-19 pandemic are on the top of mind for Oak Bay Volunteer Services as it delivers compassion and care, medication and food to elderly members of the community in the municipality.
TC_58793_web_IMG_0823.jpg
Irene, left, receives her weekly groceries and toiletries from Shaelyn, an Oak Bay Volunteer Services volunteer, outside her residence in Oak Bay on Monday, Oct. 12, 2020. Picture submitted by Renee Lorme-Gulbrandsen.

Seniors weathering the COVID-19 pandemic are on the top of mind for Oak Bay Volunteer Services as it delivers compassion and care, medication and food to elderly members of the community in the municipality.

Social isolation and loneliness among older adults living independently was already a concern before the pandemic struck. With social distancing and a heightened fear of contracting the disease - even from family - seniors are more isolated than ever.

With funding by the Victoria Foundation, the Oak Bay Volunteer Services has been able to adapt to new, innovative ways to deliver services to its 500 clients in the community.

“The end goal remains the same, but we have had to deliver our services in different - and safer - ways for our clients,” said Renee Lorme-Gulbrandsen, executive director for the charitable, non-profit organization. “We have been providing in-person, one-on-one compassion and care to those in need in Oak Bay for more than 40 years.”

She said that they were fortunate to receive an initial grant from the Rapid relief Fund early on and secure a subsequent grant to continue to support the community.

“The initial Rapid Relief Fund grant was very timely. The funds were used to purchase personal protective equipment and provide health and hygiene training for some of our 200 volunteers,” said Lorme-Gulbrandsen. “Their safety and the safety of our clients is essential. We want to mitigate any chance of contracting the virus.”

Volunteers continue to provide one-on-one services - with appropriate social listing protocols. Services include help buying (and delivering) groceries once a week, picking up prescriptions, transportation to and from medical appointments, wellness or social phone calls, help with gardening chores, weekly walks and even help filing taxes once a year.

Last year the organization answered 5,400 calls for service.

But volunteers don’t just drop off the groceries, they usually linger, providing seniors with a much needed thread of companionship.

“Our volunteers have a great rapport with the people they call on. Every visit is an opportunity to provide a listening ear and friendly voice. The volunteers can tell you hundreds of adorable stories.”

They serve as eyes and ears for family and social agencies - and try to ensure that nobody falls between the cracks.

If the volunteers see something of concern during a regular visit, they will work with a community nurse or social worker to ensure the senior gets access to appropriate services and care.

“We lost a lot due to the pandemic. But if it wasn’t for the continued funding, we wouldn’t have been able to continue.

parrais@timescolonist.com.