have completed Hospice selection processes and met the necessary training requirements;
are respectful of personal choices and an individual's right to make their own decisions, even about their death;
appreciate the dynamics of race and cultural practices and are tolerant of life style, cultural diversities, and value systems — they may be bilingual, racially, or culturally diverse themselves;
respect the right of privacy for clients and their families and are aware of the need for client and medical confidentiality;
provide services to those who are dealing with life-threatening illnesses, and to their families, extended
families, caregivers or friends who are grieving an anticipated death;
companion those who are at the end of life, providing emotional support in hospital or at home;
when requested, provide or arrange spiritual support of any nature; and
provide support to families, extended families, caregivers and friends already bereaved by past deaths.
Join our Team of Volunteers ... and play a part in our community
As leaders in bereavement and palliative support services the Abbotsford Hospice Society is building upon the diverse
volunteer base that forms the foundation of our community support system.
Abbotsford Hospice Society volunteers range in age from 13 to 93 and they come from various backgrounds and cultures.
Our companion volunteers, facilitators, trainers, counsellors and educators bring unique and invaluable perspective to our work.
Companioning | Life Skills | Professional Development
Abbotsford Hospice Society Client Support Training (Bereavement and Palliative)
This is a 30-hour certificate course and runs Wednesday and Saturdays.
Cost - $75
Includes Workbooks, Reference Materials and AHS Membership.
To register, or for more information, call Kelly today or email: info@abbotsfordhospice.org
Open to everyone in the community, Client Support Training is run in Spring and Fall, and otherwise on a demand basis
at the AHS Resource & Support Centre on Marshall Road. This course will help in several ways. You will improve
your understanding of family dynamics, your communication skills, and your facility for conflict resolution.
Abbotsford Hospice Society Training Courses
Introduction and Orientation
This course will involve orientation and an introduction to the "Heart" of Hospice. All volunteers who will be working
for the Abbotsford Hospice in any capacity are required to take this course.
Client Support Training (Palliative and Bereavement)
Designed to teach companioning skills to those who wish to work as a client support volunteer within AHS and to provide
opportunities for professional development and the acquiring life skills complimentary to our workplace and in our daily
lives. Conducted by a Fraser Health Clinical Nurse Specialist, the course is open to all members of our community.
The Art of Facilitation & Grief Support
For those volunteers who wish to facilitate the group process within our Bereavement Support Program. Groups engage
in activities, discussions of specific topics and optional personal sharing in a safe and accepting atmosphere.
Advanced Bereavement Support
This advanced course provides training so that our volunteers can recognize a crisis or potential crisis and refer out.
Complex issues involve the bereaved facing the difficult task of coming to terms with a traumatic loss (ie. death of
child, suicide survivor). Death due to a sudden or traumatic event raises complex issues for the survivor and our
volunteers are trained to companion clients or to run support groups to help the bereaved cope over the longer term.
Palliative Peer Support Training
For volunteers interested in companioning clients and their families within the Palliative Peer Support day. Focus
is on one-to-one companioning within a group process .
Hospice Companioning by Phone
Training for those volunteers interested in companioning palliative and/or bereaved clients over the phone. Sometimes
it is easier for the client to speak about terrible experiences or problems regarding grief and loss if the support
person is not physically present.
Teen Peer Support Training
For teens interested in volunteering to work with other teens at AHS and support them through their grief process or
anticipated grief process. AHS is the only hospice we know of that encourages teen training and offers bereavement
and palliative support for teens.
