Telephone: (604) 885-8609
PO Box 917 Sechelt, BC V0N 3A4
The Loan Cupboard
There are two main jobs in the Loan Cupboard.
1. Loan Cupboard volunteers process the loans, clean the equipment and maintain the records and general good order of our area. Our volunteers are described by health care providers, and borrowers, as loyal, cheerful, helpful, and caring. They are detail orientated folks able to learn the keeping of the many records involved with processing a loan going out and the return. Men and women volunteers staff the Loan Cupboard usually working a two-
hour shift once a week; two volunteers for each shift.
2. (LC) Repair/Maintenance of equipment. The "repair guys‟ are housed within our storage area and are responsible for keeping our equipment in "as new" condition. They examine and test our items and apply whatever remedy or replacement necessary for safety and good working order. These volunteers, mostly retirees, come from diverse fields of work and share the common goal of wanting our equipment to be safe, look good, and able to be operated by patients with limited strength. One volunteer to a shift.
1. Loan Cupboard volunteers process the loans, clean the equipment and maintain the records and general good order of our area. Our volunteers are described by health care providers, and borrowers, as loyal, cheerful, helpful, and caring. They are detail orientated folks able to learn the keeping of the many records involved with processing a loan going out and the return. Men and women volunteers staff the Loan Cupboard usually working a two-
hour shift once a week; two volunteers for each shift.
2. (LC) Repair/Maintenance of equipment. The "repair guys‟ are housed within our storage area and are responsible for keeping our equipment in "as new" condition. They examine and test our items and apply whatever remedy or replacement necessary for safety and good working order. These volunteers, mostly retirees, come from diverse fields of work and share the common goal of wanting our equipment to be safe, look good, and able to be operated by patients with limited strength. One volunteer to a shift.
We welcome new volunteers.
Our volunteers take time off, mostly for travelling and vacations, which means there is almost always "room for one more‟. The regular work schedule is flexible to meet the availability of the volunteer. This is a detailed service-orientated job and has a designated trainer for new, and returning, volunteers. Over 25 volunteers currently staff the Loan Cupboard. To contact the Loan Cupboard
call 604-885-2224, Local 4204.
Messages can be left on the Loan Cupboard Voice Mail 24/7
The Loan Cupboard is open from
10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
weekdays, except holidays,
in St. Mary's Hospital basement
Hours: 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM weekdays,
except holidays, in St. Mary's Hospital basement.
except holidays, in St. Mary's Hospital basement.
SOME BACKGROUND AND HISTORY
The Loan Cupboard was originally started by the Registered Nurses Association in 1963 with 6 pieces of equipment. The purpose of the Loan Cupboard was, and is, to make available hospital type equipment to the residents on the Sunshine Coast, for short term loans. The Loan Cupboard is described by health providers as an indispensable service to hospital and community patients. The lending of medical equipment often facilitates the early discharge from hospital, sometimes prevents unnecessary hospital admissions by keeping patients in their homes, and otherwise helps keep community patients safe and independent within their homes.
In 1985 the Director of Nursing asked the Auxiliary to take over the Loan Cupboard. At that time, with a staff of three, only two women and one man, they received, loaned and maintained the inventory of 170 pieces of equipment. The inventory now numbers over 700 pieces including wheelchairs, 4 wheeled walkers, 2 wheeled walkers, standard walkers, urinals, toilet seat raisers, toilet guard rails, sock aids, long handled shoe horns, reachers, IV Poles, commodes, straight canes, quad canes, bed cradles, bed tables, bed pans, bed rails, bath stools, bath transfer benches, bath boards. The equipment is loaned, not rented out. However, donations (cash or cheques) are always welcomed and appreciated.