Volunteering at Nathaniel Witherell Fosters Meaningful Connections Across Generations 

By Julia Trotman

Nathaniel Witherell is a skilled nursing home and rehabilitation facility owned by the town of Greenwich. The facility offers care, support, and a strong sense of community to residents, as well as valuable opportunities for volunteers to make a meaningful impact on residents’ lives.

Volunteers are an important part of resident life, providing compassionate care and brightening up a senior’s day.

Their main goal is to assist residents in getting to activities within the facility, enabling socialization, fun and friendships.

Volunteers help in many ways, including helping with resident activities in the auditorium, including Bingo, card games, concerts, parties and seasonal events.

They also bring residents to on-site facility services such as physical therapy, Gift Shop, Hair Salon, and church services in the Chapel.

The volunteer on-boarding process includes an interview, paperwork, building tour, reviewing  emergency procedures, and on-the-job training for the type of volunteering the person will do.

Most of the volunteers are high school students, with 15 being the minimum age requirement.

One example of a weekly event in the auditorium is Bingo, which takes place every Wednesday at 2:00 pm. Volunteers report to the auditorium 30 minutes prior to the event and transport residents from their rooms to the auditorium. During bingo, volunteers sit with the residents, and help those who need assistance with playing the game. Once the event is over, volunteers transport the residents back to their rooms. Typically the volunteer’s visit is 90 minutes.

Mary Tate, who has been the Volunteer Coordinator at Nathaniel Witherell for nine years, said seeing students engage with seniors is beautiful.

“It is really rewarding,” she said. “I see the benefit of our residents getting attention, care and compassion.”

Volunteers also have the opportunity to bring their pets for pet therapy. Bringing in a dog or cat, within certain limitations such as vaccinations and the size of the animal, also brings comfort and companionship to residents. At the “Cat Club” residents who like cats interact with volunteers cats.

According to Ms Tate, this is a very special and significant aspect of what volunteers can provide, not only for the residents’ amusement, but for the memories they may have of their pets.

“Pet therapy is special because there is memory recall where residents will say, ‘Oh, I had a cat once,’ or ‘I had a dog,’ and you’ll see how it evokes fond memories. It is a really sweet moment,” Tate said.

Nathaniel Witherell continues to foster meaningful connections through its volunteers, bringing together young students with older generations.

Volunteering at Nathaniel Witherell not only benefits residents, but provides students with a rewarding opportunity to give back to their community, especially given the Witherell is home to many Greenwich residents, including former firefighters and teachers.