For further information or to register for training,

please contact our

Volunteer Coordinator, 

Pam Sikma

at 604-852-2456 ext. 410 or pamela@abbotsfordhospice.org

Volunteers

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.

As a non-profit registered charity, the Abbotsford Hospice Society relies on its volunteers to play a key role in all of our services and programs.

 

To maintain the high quality of our volunteer program, we place a great deal of care and attention on volunteer intake, training and ongoing support.

Volunteer Opportunities Include:

• Client Support Volunteers

  • One-to-one Companion Volunteers - bereavement and palliative support, including "high tea" on the palliative unit and at Holmberg House for residents and their loved ones.

  • Hospital and Facility Visiting Volunteers

  • Experienced Support Group Facilitators
     

• Society Support Volunteers

  • Office Support Volunteers

  • Special Events & Fundraising Volunteers**

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• Complimentary Therapy Providers**

  • Hairdressers, estheticians, musicians (piano, guitar, harp, voilin...), massage therapists, reflexology, reiki & healing touch, etc...

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** These types of volunteer roles do not require the full volunteer training, a 3-hour training course and 2 references will be required. ​

Candidates are required to meet the following general criteria:

• All candidates will complete a pre-training interview

• Have two satisfactory personal references

• Successfully complete a criminal background check

• You must wait at least one year after a significant loss in order to focus on your own healing

• Must have a good command of the English language, both verbal and written

• Must be 18 years of age or older

• Must possess a high level of maturity in order to meet the unique needs of our patients, families and staff

• Must be able to make a minimum 12 month commitment, in any capacity

Some of the Benefits you can expect from being an AHS volunteer include:

• Having the privilege of sharing ‘the journey’ with clients/residents and their loved ones.

• Developing and strengthening skills and abilities in communication, compassion, and caring (Volunteers are well-rounded, learning skills they can use on the job, at home or in communicating with others)

• Gaining new experiences (Volunteering gives you the opportunity to work with people from all walks of life and backgrounds)

• Feeling the personal satisfaction of helping others

• Making a difference in your community

• Becoming a valued member of a dedicated and supportive interdisciplinary team

• Gaining deeper knowledge about life, death and bereavement

• Opportunities for growth through volunteer training and regular learning opportunities

• Giving your time, talents and skills to those in need

Our Volunteers...

• Have a wide range of life experiences and skills

• 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

• Provide support to families, extended families, caregivers and friends already bereaved by past deaths