FRASER Health’s South Asian Mobile Day Program, in partnership with South Asian Health Institute (SAHI) volunteers, is providing accessible and culturally sensitive programming for older South Asian adults in Abbotsford who require assistance with therapeutic recreation activities.

SAHI volunteers work to ensure the recreational activities are both enjoyable and culturally relevant for clients and also support the day-to-day activities of the program. “It has been helpful to have extra hands helping out at the program. The volunteers come in with a fresh perspective and a sense of eagerness to connect with the clients,” says Fraser Irvine, senior recreation therapist with the program.

The volunteers’ ability to speak a South Asian language is having a strong positive impact on clients. A participant says: “We like the program because we can explain what we’re saying [to volunteers] in Punjabi, and [staff] can understand us better… everyone does great work.”

Bal, a licensed practical nurse with the program, says: “Having volunteers that can speak the same language as the seniors enables the seniors to share stories in their language.” Speaking a shared language creates a space where clients feel at ease and where they can express themselves through storytelling. Volunteers enhance this experience and create an environment that is meaningful and culturally enriching.

“My experience supporting the South Asian Mobile Day Program has been very positive. I especially enjoyed [helping with] the spa day, where I did henna on the seniors. During activities like Bingo, I think the seniors liked that I was able to read out numbers in Punjabi,” says Parveer, a volunteer with SAHI.

SAHI volunteers can also support other Fraser Health programs and services to ensure culturally sensitive care is delivered to people from the diverse South Asian communities we serve.

For more information on SAHI’s volunteer program, email southasianhealth@fraserhealth.ca.