All 15 volunteers covering the front desk in the Coventry’s main lobby on any given day are Belle Meade residents who not only offer their time to answer the telephone and greet visitors, but also provide a welcoming presence to those living there.
“Placing volunteers at the desk has had a positive impact on the Coventry’s residents and visitors and even the staff,” says Caroline Hendricks, Coventry director. “Everyone here is warmed by the presence of the pleasant and efficient volunteers.”
Belle Meade residents were recruited. and then attended in-depth corporate volunteer orientations before beginning their weekly two-hour shifts. “They’ve settled in to their new roles wonderfully,” says Andrews.
Hendricks, who trained the volunteer concierges on the details of the phone system, has discovered other hidden talents of some of the men and women who have branched off in additional directions to do filing for her and activities with residents.
For instance, Tommy Thompson’s “Laughing Wall” encourages assisted living residents to create cartoon quips to match comic strips, and Pat Matson’s weekly current events prompts them to keep up to date on local and world happenings.
In addition, other volunteers are there like clockwork each Thursday for bingo and bridge, and some are thinking up new ways for assisted living residents to enjoy each day.
So successful is the concept of placing volunteers in a heavy traffic area that the Rehabilitation Unit in St. Joseph of the Pines Health Center is gearing up for the same activity.
Several volunteers have already expressed interest in taking a two-hour shift to direct new arrivals to the unit, to meet and greet visitors, to answer the phone and peek in on patients to cheer and comfort them with welcome baskets.
To learn more about the many volunteer opportunities available at St. Joseph of the Pines, contact Andrews at 246-1139.
St. Joseph of the Pines is a not-for-profit organization and a member of Catholic Health East.
It includes the Coventry, the Health Center, a skilled nursing care facility, Belle Meade Independent Retirement Resort, The Villas, an independent retirement community, and Providence Place for affordable senior living.
