Please join us in our privileged work.

Numbering more than two hundred,
our volunteers truly are the of Hospice.

	Volunteer Training Courses — Join our Team — "Hearts for Hospice" Orientation & Introduction to Hospice Client Support (Palliative & Bereavement) "The Art of Facilitation" Upcoming Training Sessions: "Hearts for Hospice" Orientation & Introduction to Hospice Thursday, 15 May – 6:00 to 9:00 pm. We are pleased to announce that, due to high demand, we will be offering a second spring training session for those persons interested in client support (bereavement and palliative). Schedule of classes is as follows: Wed, 21 May; Sat, 24 May; Wed, 11 June; Sat, 14 June; Wed, 18 June; and Sat, 21 June Wednesday classes run from 6:00 to 9:00 pm and Saturdays are from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm. Classes fill up very fast, so it is advisable to register early. To register, or for more information, call Kelly at 604.852.2456. Email: info@abbotsfordhospice.org

Death touches us all — the only question is how it affects us. At the Abbotsford Hospice Society, we work with the dying, their grieving families, friends, and communities. We accept that we cannot change fate or heal people deemed palliative; but we can serve as companions in their transitions through grief and toward death. We hope to help them live life to the fullest, until their very last breath. As would any friend, we listen, console, share the ups and downs of their final journey. We comfort them, validate the reality of their experience and that of their families, as they move through the various stages of grief. We do all of this with the help of empathic, compassionate people — people just like you.

The following training courses are offered through the Abbotsford Hospice Society:

• Introduction and Orientation – "Hearts for Hospice"
  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.
  Course Date: Thursday, 15 May, 6:00 to 9:00 pm
  Cost: Free



• Client Support (Palliative & Bereavement)
  This 30-hour certificate course is designed for volunteers interested in palliative and bereavement care as it relates to one-on-one support for clients. Includes membership in the Abbotsford Hospice Society.
  Call Kelly at 604.852.2456 for more information or to register.
  Course Date: Begins 21 May — runs Wednesdays and Saturdays
  Cost: $150.00



• Client Support (Bereavement)
• The Art of Facilitation and Grief Support
• Advanced Bereavement Support
• Wellness (Respite) Program Training
• Hospice Companioning by Phone
• Teen Peer Support and Enhanced Teen Training

Volunteer To Do Fund-Raising

We raise funds to support our full menu of bereavement services for individuals, their families and caregivers, whether in their home, in care facilities, in hospitals, or in our local Hospice. Some of our funds arrive at Hospice through volunteers engaged in our various fund-raising events, including galas, hikes, concerts, dances, Celebrate a Life displays, raffles, external workshops, book, craft, flower, cookbook and bake sales.

Of equal importance are the volunteers who help us with technical or artistic services, such as computer maintenance and networking, technological training, yard and garden services, carpentry, electrical repairs, key and lock maintenance, fine artwork, photography and media services.

Additional Volunteering Opportunities

You may choose to participate in Palliative Planning. If you have medical skills or experience, you can become a member of the Abbotsford Palliative Care Interdisciplinary Team. Alternatively, you may wish to facilitate a support group, run an education program, organize a public or special interest forum to educate the public on issues related to dying and grieving. In this context, we can provide informational and motivational speakers for community, service, professional, and special interest groups. Alternatively, you may want to participate in our child or teen support network — an evolving and interactive response to the grief experienced by children and youth. Finally, you may enjoy companioning grieving or palliative-care children. Art, music, and humour therapy are all helpful tools to facilitate understanding and acceptance of death and loss. There may be a need to companion children on a one-to-one basis, or to support their families. You may choose to work with grieving, chronically ill or palliative-care teens, dealing with life-altering medical conditions that call for special skills. Being non-judgmental, having good listening skills, practicing empathy and paraphrasing are important in this challenging but profoundly rewarding work. Of course, it also helps if you can shoot hoops, like video games, movies, hip hop music and pizza!

Professional Volunteers & Services-in-kind / Reduced Fees

Professionally qualified volunteers, including those with financial, legal, medical, management, and counseling expertise, may provide us with services-in-kind or services at reduced fee.

Volunteer at the Christine Morrison Hospice Residence

We partner with Mission Hospice Society, Fraser Health Authority, and Fraser Valley Care Foundation to offer palliative clients a variety of services at the Christine Morrison Hospice (CMH), which serves the communities of Abbotsford and Mission.

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The CMH is named in honour of Christine Ann Morrison, who bequeathed a charity fund for the development of services and supports to enhance care for people in her community. Her generous gift, combined with the vision and distinctive philosophy of Hospice Society partners, affords the residents of Abbotsford and Mission better options for supportive end-of-life care.

“Weaving together a shared vision from three perspectives was challenging but inspiring work,” notes Bobbi Spark, Executive Director, Abbotsford Hospice Society. “This unique partnership may well be the first of its kind — two Hospice Societies, a Foundation and a Health Authority. Our alliance achieved the common purpose of meeting both client and community needs.”

Volunteers are the life-blood of the Hospice movement. Volunteers give the gifts of unhurried time, compassion and practical assistance. The Christine Morrison Hospice will provide the communities of Mission and Abbotsford with a unique opportunity to do volunteer work that is challenging, intense and immensely rewarding.