McMaster Children's Hospital
Arts and Crafts Program
Since its foundation in 1988, McMaster Children's Hospital has served the unique healthcare needs of children using a family-oriented model of care. Its focus on evidence-based care, collaborative research, and innovative education has made the hospital one of the top pediatric health science centres in Canada. Each year, McMaster Children's Hospital serves over 210,000 patients from the greater Hamilton area and beyond.
For over a decade, Smiling Over Sickness has been collaborating with McMaster Children's Hospital to run our weekly arts and crafts program, which provides fun and interactive activities for patients and their families. Our passionate volunteers and their creative craft ideas bring great joy for patients who often feel isolated and scared during their hospital stay. Many parents have expressed that their children look forward to these sessions as the highlight of their week.
The arts and crafts volunteering program comprises of 4 regular volunteers and 2 group leaders with the following responsibilities:
For over a decade, Smiling Over Sickness has been collaborating with McMaster Children's Hospital to run our weekly arts and crafts program, which provides fun and interactive activities for patients and their families. Our passionate volunteers and their creative craft ideas bring great joy for patients who often feel isolated and scared during their hospital stay. Many parents have expressed that their children look forward to these sessions as the highlight of their week.
The arts and crafts volunteering program comprises of 4 regular volunteers and 2 group leaders with the following responsibilities:
Responsibilities of Regular Volunteers
- Attend online arts and craft sessions every other week with patients from McMaster Children’s hospital. Each session will be approximately 1.5 to 2 hours long.
- Pick up necessary craft supplies from a local store (e.g. dollar store) so you can demo the activity during the online session. All purchases for craft supplies will be reimbursed.
- Attend 2-hour volunteer meetings online every other week. During these meetings volunteers will:
- Plan crafts and activities
- Record tutorial videos of the activities for patients unable to attend
- Go over any questions or concerns regarding their volunteer roles
- Help plan 2 small fundraising events supporting McMaster Children’s Hospital
Group Leaders
On top of the responsibilities of regular volunteers, group leaders have the following additional roles:
- Submit craft ideas and materials list to Volunteer Coordinator before the second Thursday of the month previous (e.g. December craft ideas must be submitted in November).
- Coordinate your volunteers and lead each arts and crafts session.
- Help facilitate communication between other volunteers and the volunteer coordinator throughout the year.
Get Involved!
See Get Involved to find out about how you can become an arts and crafts volunteer.
We also encourage you to visit the McMaster Children's Hospital website in order to find out more about their work.
We also encourage you to visit the McMaster Children's Hospital website in order to find out more about their work.
