Central Okanagan Hospice Association : Volunteering

VOLUNTEERS & TRAINING

What do Hospice Volunteers do?

Hospice Volunteers are individuals who come from different backgrounds, interests and experiences. They have been carefully selected and screened to offer emotional, spiritual, social and practical support to patients and families.

We recognize that people are different and have different individual needs. For this reason we encourage patients and families to let the volunteer know what would be most helpful. The Director of volunteers assesses client's needs and matches them to an appropriate volunteer.

Hospice Volunteers offer the kinds of things a friend might offer:

Someone to talk with who understands.
Someone who will listen without judging or interpreting.
Someone with whom to share memories, feelings, difficult times.
Someone for companionship and friendship.
Someone who will share quiet time.
Someone to help with practical tasks and errands.
Someone to do things with such as going for walks or lunch.
Someone who could relieve the family care-givers for short periods.

How much time do Hospice Volunteers give?

Hospice volunteers contribute about 4 hours per week.

Who do Hospice Volunteers report to?

Hospice Volunteers are directly responsible to the Director of Volunteers of the Central Okanagan Hospice Association.

The Director recruits, selects, educates, assigns and monitors the placement of volunteers working with patients and families.

How are referrals made for a Hospice Volunteer?

Anyone can request a Hospice Volunteer simply by calling the Director of Volunteers at (250) 763-5511.

Requests are received from health care professionals, friends, family and individuals themselves.

Before we arrange for a one-on-one volunteer visitor, the individual and family must have agreed to receive our service.

How soon will a volunteer be provided?

Volunteers are not always immediately available. The Director of Volunteers will arrange for your introduction to a volunteer as soon as one is available.

How does one become a Volunteer?

Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer should contact the Director of Volunteers at (250)763-5511.

Steps to becoming a Hospice Volunteer

1. Call the Director of Volunteers to express interest.

2. Attend an information session (1.25 hours in length) - This initial meeting will give you the information you need to know about whether volunteering with the terminally ill and bereaved is a suitable volunteer role for you. You will also learn about the training requirements and expectations of your role as a volunteer.

3. Once you have attended the information session and you feel that the organization would be a fit, you would then be required to meet with the Director of Volunteers. At that time you will be required to bring back with you a completed application package which you would have received at the information session.

4. All volunteers are then required to complete a criminal records search and to provide the names of two character references.

5. The Hospice Training Course is 35 hours and volunteers will receive a certificate of acknowledgement once the course has been completed. Training is offered in the Spring and Fall each year and focuses on understanding the experience of death and dying, grief and loss, communication skills, spirituality, role of the volunteer, in addition to the role of the Palliative Care Team and the Palliative Response Team.

6. Upon completion, volunteers will be assigned to an area that is suitable.

7. Volunteers are requested to be involved with the organization for at least one year.

8. A nominal fee of $50 will be charged to the volunteer to help cover the cost of a training manual, name tag, criminal records search, first years membership, additional handouts and supplies. Volunteers will also receive a book "Preplanning Guide" written by well known author Harry Van bommell.

Other areas to volunteer include:

Helping out in the office
Fundraising and Special Events
Facilitating
Crafts / Sewing
Board / Committees
Special Projects
Hospice Serenity Garden

(Volunteers working in other areas are not required to undergo the same screening measures as those who work with patients.)

Benefits to volunteering with Hospice

Meet new people
Gain practical experience
Learning & growth opportunities
Self fulfillment in helping others