Why become a hospice volunteer with Hospice in the Weald

Volunteering to help hospice patients is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have. But how do you know if such a role is right for you, or how to get involved if you are interested? In this post, we’ll cover exactly how to become a hospice volunteer and why you should get involved, as well as current volunteer opportunities at Hospice in the Weald (working with both children and adults).

Is hospice volunteering right for you?

If you have landed on this page, then you probably already know the answer to this question! However, it’s good to take stock just to make sure this is the best volunteering opportunity for you.

In general, you’ll be an excellent candidate if you are:

• Patient and kind. Needless to say, when volunteering in hospice, it is important to treat others with great care. For many people, both patients and family/friends, this is an incredibly difficult time; your sympathy and understanding will go a long way for those who may be struggling, grieving, or feeling lost.
• Passionate about helping others. Hospice volunteering really is the perfect sector for those who want to make a difference – few things are more rewarding than helping someone in long-term care, or at the end of their life, feel better.
• Comfortable around illness and end-of-life care. There’s no getting around the fact that you will need to be comfortable with people’s deteriorating conditions and end-of-life care. If you are squeamish, recently bereaved, or easily upset, hospice volunteering may not be for you. That said, if you are uncomfortable with these elements but still want to help people in hospice, you could always volunteer in one of our HITW charity shops, or in our café or garden.
• Interested in working in hospice care. Volunteering can give you a great sense of the environment & responsibilities of a hospice worker, and it can be a useful way to eventually segue into a paid position.

How to become a hospice volunteer

You’ve determined that you will make a great volunteer – now to get into the application and approval process! First off, you’ll need to figure out where you want to volunteer. Have a look at:

• Hospices near you
• Hospices with multiple volunteer vacancies
• Hospices that serve the people you want to work with – for example, if you’d like to work with children specifically, look for a hospice that offers children’s services like HITW for Children

You’ll then need to apply to volunteer for that specific hospice, a process which typically isn’t too arduous. Important questions you’ll likely have to answer include:

• Why do you want to volunteer here?
• What experience or skills might help you as a hospice volunteer?
• Have you ever had a friend or family member in hospice before?
• What kind of availability do you have?

You may also be asked to undergo a background check to ensure you have no criminal record or liability issues. Then once accepted, you’ll receive any specialty guidance or training required of your role!

As you embark on this role, make sure to check in with yourself regularly. Are things proceeding roughly as expected? How are you holding up emotionally? Do you feel you could be doing more – or should be doing less? Be honest with yourself and ask for help if needed; overextending yourself only does a disservice to you and those you’re trying to help.

Why volunteer with us

We have volunteer opportunities of every stripe available at Hospice in the Weald! Whether you’re interested in personal care, volunteering in one of our shops or in our garden, helping out with counselling and/or spiritual services, or something else entirely, we can find the ideal volunteer role for you.

And while we offer a wide range of roles across multiple locations, the best part about volunteering with Hospice in the Weald is that you’ll be making a huge difference to the people for whom it matters most: those with life-limiting illnesses, those at the end of their lives, and their friends and family.

From volunteering directly with our hospice patients to working in our charity shops, you will be doing your bit to support these people in need – and nothing could possibly feel better than that.