Volunteers at Griffin

(Contact the Volunteer Office at 203-732-7555)

Volunteers are a vital part of the Griffin family and help make Griffin a warm and friendly community hospital. Last year alone, volunteers contributed more than 65,000 hours to Griffin, the equivalent of 31 full-time employees.

Our program operates seven days a week during daytime and evening hours. Volunteer hours are tailored to meet your individual schedule. You are asked to commit 2 hours each week, with a 50- hour commitment for the year

No matter what your interests or abilities are, there is an opportunity for everyone to help. Volunteers assist in nearly every area of the hospital, with assignments based on availability, interests, and skills which best match the needs of the Volunteer Services Program. Some examples of the innovative programs staffed by volunteers include:

AMBASSADOR PLUS: Often the first person our patients and family members meet are the Ambassador Plus volunteers who are positioned in the hospital's Main Lobby and Emergency Room Areas. If you have an outgoing personality, good interpersonal skills, and the ability to escort patients to their destination, either by walking with them or by pushing them in a wheelchair, this is for you!
BAKERS: Each day, volunteers bake muffins, brownies, cookies, and various breads in kitchens located on the hospital's patient care units, bringing the comfort of home-like aromas to our patients, their family members, and visitors, as well as our staff. Volunteers also get to deliver these fresh-baked items (all necessary ingredients are provided by the hospital).
ROOM SERVICE: This service is staffed by volunteers who are available to respond to the special requests of our patients, such as delivering a newspaper or an item from the Dining Room, assisting in menu delivery or pick up, purchasing an item from the Gift Shop, or just visiting patients who need some company. Good interpersonal skills and the desire to assist in providing special amenities to our patients is required.
SOFT TOUCH: Volunteers wishing to provide hands-on care to patients will enjoy this opportunity. In addition to conversing and providing a friendly visit, you will be trained to give a therapeutic, relaxing, and gentle rub either to the hands, feet, or backs of our patients. Many "kudos and thanks" are returned to our volunteers for this gentle touch.
VPS (Vital Patient Stories): If you are a good listener, have a flair with the pen, and compassion in your heart, this is the volunteer opportunity for you! You will be taught interviewing and writing skills to compose creative non-fiction accounts of patients' life stories. In addition to good listening skills, empathy, and compassion, volunteers must maintain patient confidentiality.

The goal of our many volunteer programs is to reduce stress for patients by enabling them to relax, which can help make their stay at the hospital more comfortable. All volunteers must be comfortable with patients, sensitive to their needs, and possess good interpersonal skills.

Sign Up Now!

Employed or retired, student or homemaker, teenager or adult, there are opportunities available to you through our Volunteer Services Program.

Interested applicants should call 203-732-7555 for more information or to schedule an interview between 10:00 am and 4:00pm, Monday through Friday (other times available by request). We'll talk with you, learn about your interests, talents, and skills, and discuss the times you are available to volunteer so we can match you with the right opportunity to be part of our wonderful team of volunteers.