Services & Programs
SVSS has provided one-to-one, direct volunteer services to Saanich residents for over 30 years. If you would like to access any of these services, please contact us by calling (250) 595-8008
Health Protocols:
We d0 our best to keep our community and volunteers safe. Our services will be adjusted to fit safety guidelines if they are announced.
Volunteer Services
Appointment Drives
Volunteers provide drives to medical and other appointments in the Greater Victoria area. We can accommodate walkers. Clients who use wheel chairs must be able to transfer independently.
Health protocols: our volunteer drivers take every precaution to ensure your safety and their own.
Income Tax Filing
SVSS does income tax returns year-round for eligible clients having a simple tax return.
To ensure the health and safety of both clients and volunteers, SVSS continues to provide virtual income tax clinics by phone or video conference if clients choose this option. We also have in person tax clinics starting after February 20 in 2024. Please call our office to learn more.
Friendship Calls and Visits
Our volunteers provide telephone calls and/or visits to play games or chat with clients about past and current events, family, hobbies, or other subjects of mutual interest.
Health protocols: our volunteers take every precaution to ensure your safety and their own.
Food Bank Hamper & Delivery
Volunteer drivers pick up food hampers from local food banks and deliver to clients weekly.
Health protocols: our volunteer drivers take every precaution to ensure your safety and their own.
Minor Home Repair
Replacing out-of-reach light bulbs, putting up or taking down curtain rods, fixing a leaky tap or stuck door/drawer, are just an example of some of the jobs our Saanich Volunteers do to help clients. We accept minor, small repairs and refer clients if a professional is required.
Health protocols: our volunteers provide support for exterior and/or interior services in line with any protocols in place at the time of their visit.
Garden & Yard Work
Pulling weeds, doing minor pruning, or tidying up the yard are all ways Saanich Volunteers help their neighbours. Clients provide the gardening tools when possible.
Health protocols: our volunteers provide support for services in line with any protocols in place at the time of their visit.
Food Security Programming
Saanich Volunteer Services Society volunteers have a significant role to play in promoting food security and wellness for our Saanich community members. In the coming months, we plan to update and improve our commitment to food security and community wellness.
Our programs, hamper delivery, grocery delivery and the More than Meals meal delivery program, have been successful due to cooperation with other community programs and also due to ongoing client satisfaction. We know there is a demand for help with food security for our Saanich community and we are presently researching and building options to help satisfy this need resourcefully and sustainably.
Please check back periodically for news as these food security programs and others are developed, renewed and strengthened.
Community Programs
Grocery Shopping Bus
Grocery bus outings offer an opportunity to go shopping with a dedicated bus and bus driver to pick up and drop off clients directly at home, together with volunteer assistance on the bus and at the shopping centre.
An added bonus is the group social, complete with refreshments, before heading home and receiving help bringing in your groceries.
Better At Home
In partnership with United Way Victoria, SVSS helps clients access support through Better At Home, a program that provides adults over 65 years with non-medical needs such as light housekeeping and other volunteer services.
NOTE: Due to a need for housekeepers our program is currently waitlisted and we cannot accept new clients. We know there is a need in our Saanich community for these light housekeeping services at affordable rates and we are working on finding long term solutions to provide such services to the many people who require assistance. We will update our website as we grow this program to reach the maximum number of Saanich residents who need it.
The Learning Cafe
"The Learning Cafe" is a program that will meet our Saanich community's social needs with an array of current topics involving or related to financial interests. It offers guest presenters, healthy refreshments and time for socializing with friends, old and new.
Macular Degeneration Support Group
The Macular Degeneration Support Group meets monthly and offers visually impaired clients an opportunity to enjoy guest presentations, refreshments and socializing.
All Covid 19 protocols are followed for this group and please contact us if you are interested in attending.
Community Information & Referral
SVSS staff can provide information or refer people to other community services, including how to apply for the Better At Home light housekeeping program and handyDART services.