Making connections, making a difference​

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   See what it means to be a Nav-CARE Volunteer Navigator and hear how this role can make a       difference in someone's life.

 

What You'll Do

Volunteer Navigators provide one-to-one support to older adults living with declining health, chronic illness, increased frailty or social isolation.

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As a Volunteer Navigator, you will build a supportive relationship with someone and learn what matters most to them. Together, you may:

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• Spend time listening and providing companionship

• Help identify services, resources and supports

• Connect someone with community programs and services

• Help navigate health and community systems

• Look up information or assist with practical problem-solving

• Support someone to participate in activities that are meaningful to them

• Talk through important decisions and future plans

• Help reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation

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Sometimes the most valuable thing you can do is simply sit, listen and be present. A conversation over coffee, looking through photographs or sharing an interest can be just as meaningful as helping someone find a service.

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Your role is not to do everything for the person. Instead, you help them build a stronger network of family, friends, community resources and services that they can rely on over time. This approach is central to Nav-CARE's focus on quality of life, independence and meaningful community connection.

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How You Make a Difference

When health begins to decline, everyday life can become more difficult. People may become less connected to their community, have difficulty finding services or feel overwhelmed by decisions and changes in their lives.

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A Volunteer Navigator has the time to listen, understand what matters to someone and walk alongside them. You can help a person find resources, access supports and remain connected to the people and activities that give their life meaning.

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You are not a health-care professional and will not provide medical care or counselling. Instead, your focus is on quality of life, connection, advocacy and helping people access the support they need.

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Nav-CARE was developed through research led by researchers at UBC Okanagan and the University of Alberta and has grown into a program used by organizations across Canada.

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Training Provided

You don't need to be a health-care professional or an expert to become a Volunteer Navigator.

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Lake Country Health provides Nav-CARE training, a well-established, evidence-based volunteer navigation program developed through research led by Dr. Barbara Pesut at right here at the University of British Columbia Okanagan and Dr. Wendy Duggleby at the University of Alberta. Since its inception in 2011, Nav-CARE has grown to more than 50 organizations across Canada.

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The training focuses on seven core competencies, including improving quality of life, advocacy, facilitating community connections, helping people access resources, and promoting active engagement, along with skills in virtual navigation. Nav-CARE competency-based training consists of seven online interactive modules, completed at the volunteer's own pace, and typically takes about six hours.

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You will also receive ongoing support from the Lake Country Health team, including opportunities to debrief, ask questions and continue learning as you gain experience.​​​​​​​​​​​