Learning and Contributing

Volunteer Hub

The Volunteer Hub connects older adults to volunteer opportunities in the city, county, and first nations. The Volunteer Coordinator also connects younger community members with opportunities to volunteer with agencies that support older adults. Thank you to Community Care, who is managing the hub. To find your ideal volunteering role, call 705-742-7067, email volunteerhub@commcareptbo.org.

Virtual Volunteer Fair

Volunteering is a great way to stay involved in your community. The Age-friendly Peterborough Volunteer Hub led by Community Care is excited to announce the launch of the Virtual Volunteer Fair. Learn more about local organizations throughout the greater Peterborough Area and how you can get involved.

 Click on the videos below to find out more about local volunteer opportunities.

Community Care Peterborough

Community Care Peterborough is a non-profit organization that provides programs and services to residents throughout the City and County of Peterborough. Their goal is to help seniors and adults with physical challenges to remain living at home as independently as possible.

Watch the video below for more information about volunteering with Community Care Peterborough.

If you are interested in volunteering with Community Care Peterborough, please contact: volunteer@commcareptbo.org, call 705-742-7067, or visit Community Care's website to apply online

Peterborough Regional Health Centre

Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) is a regional hospital delivering acute healthcare to a rapidly-growing population of more than 300,000 in Peterborough and the surrounding communities.

Watch the video below for more information about volunteering with Peterborough Regional Health Centre.

If you are interested in volunteering with PRHC, please contact: volunteers@prhc.on.ca or call 705-876-5066

Habitat for Humanity Peterborough and Kawartha Region

Habitat for Humanity PKR helps families build strength, stability, and independence through affordable homeownership. They serve the City and County of Peterborough, the City of Kawartha Lakes, and the Haliburton Highlands area.

Watch the video below to learn about the volunteer opportunities at Habitat for Humanity PKR.

If you are interested in volunteering with Habitat for Humanity PKR, please contact: volunteer@habitatpkr.ca or call 705-847-0201.

Fairhaven LTC

Fairhaven LTC is a 256-bed long term care home jointly owned and operated by the City and County of Peterborough. They are committed to enhancing the quality of life of their residents in a caring and safe environment.

Watch the video below to learn about the volunteer opportunities at Fairhaven LTC.

If you are interested in volunteering with Fairhaven LTC, please contact Emily Collins, Volunteer Resources Coordinator by phone at 705-743-0881 ext. 290 or by email at emily.collins@fairhavenltc.com

Age-friendly Peterborough

Age-friendly Peterborough (AFP) is working to ensure that older adults’ basic needs are met; that they can get around the community; are supported to build and maintain relationships; and have the opportunity, to learn, grow, and contribute.

Watch the video below to learn about the volunteer opportunities with Age-friendly Peterborough. 

If you are interested in volunteering with AFP, please email Jayne Culbert, Age-friendly Coordinator, or call 705-931-4403.

Food For Kids - Peterborough Public Health

Food for Kids Peterborough and County, a community partnership, has supported Breakfast Programs in local elementary and secondary schools for 30 years. Dedicated volunteers provide healthy breakfasts and help to ensure that all students are able to attend classes well-nourished and ready to learn to their full potential.

Watch the video below to learn about the volunteering with Food for Kids. 

If you are interested in volunteering with Food for Kids, please contact Luisa Magalhaes, Registered Dietitian, by phone at 705-743-1000 ext. 1000.

Makerspace - Selwyn Public Library

Learn about volunteer opportunities with the Makerspace initiative at Selwyn Public Library. For more information, please visit www.selwyntownship.ca/en/library/library.aspx

The greater Peterborough area offers many opportunities for lifelong learning, including continuing education classes, public lectures/workshops and a public library. Continuing education classes can be found at the following locations:

• Trent University
• Fleming College
• Community Training and Development Centre
• Art School of Peterborough
• Outdoor Education Centre

Public Lectures

Public lectures and workshops covering a wide range of topics are offered by Trent University. Visit Trent's Public Calendar of Events.

The Trent Centre for Aging & Society gathers faculty, students, staff, and community stakeholders to build meaningful dialogue that challenges entrenched ideas about aging, old age and older people. Visit the Trent Centre for Aging & Society webpage to learn more.

You can visit your local library to view upcoming events, books, audiobooks and learning tools. 

Peterborough Public Library

• 705-745-5382

Asphodel-Norwood Public Library

• Westwood Branch 705-768-2548
• Norwood Branch 705-639-2228

Selwyn Public Library

• Bridgenorth 705-292-5065
• Ennismore 705-292-8022
• Lakefield 705-652-8623

North Kawartha Library

• Apsley 705-656-4333
• Woodview Branch 705-654-1071

Cavan Monaghan Libraries

• Millbrook Branch 705-932-2919
• Bruce Johnston Branch 705-741-1253

Curve Lake First Nation Public Library

• 705-657-3217

Through play, culture, arts, leisure learning, sport, and travel, you can gain physical skills, develop social connections, foster creativity, and stimulate your mind. 

Opportunities for Recreation and Culture

You can also visit Peterborough Seniors Service Directory for more recreation, fitness and arts/culture resources.

Be Prepared Workshops

Age-friendly Peterborough and partners developed a Be Prepared Workbook that prompts older adults to gather information needed in an emergency and prepares them for a change in health or circumstance. The Workbook includes information, checklists, reflective questions, discussion topics with family and friends, and where to go for additional resources. There are five chapters:

• Emergency Preparedness;
• Personal Safety Planning;
• Next Step Housing;
• Advanced Care Planning; and
• Final Wishes.

In 2022, AFP received funding from the Ministry of Seniors and Accessibility to develop the Be Prepared program, print the workbooks, and deliver free workshops in the community. From June to November, our facilitators conducted almost 40 workshops and distributed 500 workbooks.

AFP will schedule focus groups in the winter 2023, where we will invite past workshop participants to share their experience completing the workbook, what information they have utilized, and what changes to the project we should consider. We will incorporate their feedback into the second edition of the Be Prepared Workbook. Thank you to United Way Peterborough & District who has generously funded year two of the project and workshops will be scheduled in spring and fall of 2023. Email afpmin@peterborough.ca if you are interested in hosting a workshop.

The PDF of the Be Prepared Workbook is available by request and is posted on the Age-friendly Communities Ontario website under the Communication and Information section. The project was highlighted at the Age-friendly Communities Ontario, Inspiring Inclusive Communities in Ontario: Moving age-friendly insights into action conference in 2022. Find a recording of the presentation under the Conference Day 3 Recordings and Resources.