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VOLUNTEERING
As a volunteer-driven organization, volunteers are imperative to the operation of Huron Shores Hospice (HSH).
The relationships you make and the experiences you have planning fundraisers, supporting families, and empowering our guests to live well to the end of their lives, remind us to live each day to the fullest.
Volunteers make all the good work we do at Huron Shores Hospice possible. We are so grateful to have so many members of our community contribute their time to making those final moments compassionate, comfortable, and dignified.
Volunteer Opportunities Include:
Comfort Care Volunteers*
Huron Shores Hospice is seeking caring and compassionate individuals to join its team as comfort care volunteers. These volunteers work as part of the interdisciplinary hospice care team by providing comfort care measures to the guests and families utilizing the residential hospice. This volunteer opportunity aims to support guests and families in both emotional and practical ways while promoting a home-like environment. Volunteers may spend their time reminiscing, reading to the guest, providing emotional support to the family, tidying the suite, providing non-medical comfort care measures, or simply being close by if anything is needed. There are morning, afternoon, and evening shifts daily. All volunteers will receive hospice orientation and access to required training and must have police and reference checks completed before spending time with the guests.
Support Volunteers*
We are looking for Support Volunteers to help guests and families before and after death, working in both community and residential hospice settings. Volunteer roles include Admissions Volunteers, End-of-Life Death Doulas and Grief Support Specialists. Support Volunteers must complete mandatory screening and specified training prior to commencing their role.
Complementary Therapy Volunteers*
We are looking to recruit volunteers to support our Complementary Therapy Program. We are looking for skilled practitioners with formal training in massage therapy, reiki, therapeutic touch, meditation, and reflexology. We hope to offer these therapies in collaboration with regulated healthcare providers as a supportive adjunct to the palliative care plan in support of physical, psychological and spiritual well-being.
*For Volunteer opportunities working directly with hospice guests and family members, additional qualifications are required:
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Volunteer Training provided by the Hospice Palliative Care Ontario (HPCO) covers a variety of important topics such as the Role of the Volunteer and Understanding Professional Boundaries, Spirituality, Understanding the Dying Process, Pain and Symptom Management, Infection Prevention and Control, as well as Cultural Considerations.
For more information go to: https://www.hpco.ca/volunteertraining/
Experience
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Past health care training or experience with chronic and/or life-threatening illness is an asset but not a requirement.​
Education & Credentials
A prerequisite minimum of 30 hours of palliative training prior to or before completion of orientation is required.​
For volunteers driving as part of their duties, a valid driver’s license with appropriate insurance coverage, and safe driving history is required.​
Screening Requirements
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- Volunteer Application
- Personal interview
- Police records check
- References
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Skills & Values
- Respect for privacy and confidentiality
- Mature judgement, dependability, adaptability and trustworthiness.
- Compassion and caring
- Good communication and active listening skills, with a capacity to affirm life (listen to residents who wish to talk about personal life meaning, regrets, fears, legacies)
- Capacity to remain calm in unexpected situations
- Responsibility in referring to program staff for guidance when uncertain and in seeking answers to questions
- Independence and teamwork styles
- Understands the role of a volunteer
- Setting of clear boundaries and understanding of the limits of their role, particularly in maintaining an appropriate relationship with family and other caregivers in the formal and informal network
- Capacity to adhere to VON policies and procedures
- Attendance at training and support group meetings as established by the program
EXCLUSION CRITERIA:
1. Recent recovery from a major stress or bereavement or issues of unresolved grief.
2. Concurrent major stress or family issue.
3. Desire to impose their own views (religious, personal, medical or psychological) on others, or who have a philosophy, which is not compatible with VON and the concept of Palliative Care.
Administrative Volunteers
Fundraising & Community Awareness
Fundraising volunteers work as part of planning committees for our annual events and/or contribute on the day of events. Community awareness volunteers attend community-hosted events, thanking our supporters and providing information about the Hospice and our programs.
Administrative Support Volunteers
Administrative volunteers work with our administrative team or the Board of Directors.
They provide assistance with processing donations, filing, computer work, making telephone calls, as well as working on projects.
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Board of Directors
Huron Shores Hospice is governed by a community-member volunteer Board of Directors that give their time and talent to provide strategic guidance and oversight to the organization. As a working board, 15-20 hours per month is required. Succession planning for the board is through committee membership.
Committee Member Volunteers​
Committee member volunteers have interest or experience in the areas of Finance, Resident Care, Fundraising and Event Planning, Bereavement, Governance and Grant Writing. Committee volunteers attend regular meetings and contribute to the mandate of the committee which include:
Finance Committee
Oversees the overall financial health of HSH by ensuring the appropriate financial controls and accountabilities exist with respect to finance and areas of material risk.
Fundraising Committee
Oversees, sets policy, supports development activities including all fundraising events, donor cultivation and recognition.​
Residence Care Committee
Provides oversight and guidance of the care of residents of HSH in order to empower individuals to live well during their end of
life journey.
Governance Committee
Ensures that processes, procedures and policies are in order for the good governance of HSH in line with bylaws and letters patent.
Bereavement Committee
Provides oversight and direction to all activities for residents and their families as well as community education, outreach and education related to bereavement.
Grant Writing Committee
Oversees and develops policy related to grants. Researches possible grants and executes accordingly.