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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

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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.

Services
Medical Drives
Income Tax Filing
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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.

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Phone Call
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.

Friendship Calls
Food Services
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Food Bank Hamper & Delivery

Volunteer drivers pick up food hampers from local food banks and deliver to clients weekly.

Health protocols: o
ur volunteer drivers take every precaution to ensure your safety and their own.

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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.

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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.

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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

Programs
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Grocery Shopping Bus

Grocery bus outings offer an opportunity to go shopping with a dedicated bus and bus driver. Clients are picked up at home and dropped back off at home. Volunteer assistance is provided on the bus and, if requested, may be available at the shopping center.

 

An added bonus is the group social at the Food Court, which is an option for clients before they head home.

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 may be waitlisted and we cannot guarantee services until we can provide housekeepers.  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 people.

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Tea and Talk at McRae House

The second and fourth Wednesday each month from 2 until 3:30 pm SVSS hosts a tea party for those who choose to attend. Please call us at least one week ahead if you're a Saanich resident and you would like to arrange a volunteer driver for yourself. Whether you live in Saanich or not, if you would like to come on your own steam, then please just call our reception line and let us know you plan to come.

 

We look forward to restarting this program on September 11, 2024.

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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.

Other Events

Saanich Volunteer Services believes in the importance of community and participates in local events where we can connect with community partners, and people who may need our services or wish to join our team.

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