Becoming a hospice volunteer
By Kristin Glasure, FAIRHOPE president and CEO
Research has shown that volunteering offers many health benefits. Volunteer activities can improve physical and mental health, provide a sense of purpose, increase overall satisfaction and self-esteem, and develop existing and new relationships through social interactions.
Hospice volunteers can choose from many options for donating their time and talents, whether in a patient’s home, in the office, or in the community. The opportunities are as varied as the time, skills, and interests of our volunteers. Plus, the schedule is flexible. Through participation and engagement, our volunteers find value in their devotion to patients, their loved ones, and their communities.
Some FAIRHOPE Hospice & Palliative Care volunteers visit patients to offer companionship, playing a vital role in enhancing the experiences of our patients and their families at the end-of-life. Other volunteers help with administrative tasks, such as data entry and filing, to help our organization run more smoothly and to improve the quality of life for our patients. Representing all ages and life experiences, we match the skills of each volunteer to the important tasks within our mission.
Volunteer opportunities include:
Patient & Family Volunteers – Act as an extension of the family in providing support to the patient and caregiver. Companion volunteers are trained to handle all situations that may arise while they are in the patient’s home. These volunteers:
- provide companionship and friendship
- perform simple chores
- offer caregiver respite by sitting with the patient so the caregiver can attend to other tasks in, or outside, the home
Office Support Volunteers – Work in FAIRHOPE’S office and assist with tasks to maintain the organization’s operations. These volunteers assist with:
- greeting guests at Fairhope’s Pickering House
- mailings
- filing
- making copies
- special projects and other clerical tasks
Community Outreach Volunteers – Represent FAIRHOPE in the community and spread the word about the programs and services we offer. These volunteers:
- participate in the Speaker’s Bureau
- staff FAIRHOPE booths at community events and fairs
- recruit new volunteers and supporters
- assist with fundraising projects and FAIRHOPE events
All FAIRHOPE Hospice & Palliative Care volunteers complete a training class to review the basics of hospice volunteering. Specialized instruction is geared toward the volunteer’s area of interest. Training varies from 4 to 21 hours, depending on the volunteer’s role within the organization.
Many volunteers choose to give back after having an experience with a loved one at FAIRHOPE where they encountered the compassionate care provided. These connections help those volunteers to be extensions of our team. They truly understand what families are experiencing. However, if you’ve recently faced a significant loss, consider taking time to process it before committing to volunteering.
We look forward to welcoming you to our team and are committed to working with you to help broaden your horizons as you share your talents and learn new skills. Call to register for our upcoming volunteer training sessions. We are certain that you will agree with our current volunteers: they treasure the time spent volunteering and receive much more than they give. Learn more at https://fairhopehospice.org/volunteer/.
FAIRHOPE Hospice & Palliative Care, Inc. will host its annual FAIRHOPE Celebrates Life event on Thursday, April 6 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at the Lancaster Golf Club as well as virtually.