Share your compassionate self with community members facing the end of life. Become a hospice volunteer.
Hospice Volunteer Services (HVS) will hold its 2017 hospice volunteer training on Thursday evenings, beginning September 14, 2017. They especially welcome college students interested in this unique form of service which requires special skills and a willingness to focus on being with those who are dying. While this kind of volunteering can be challenging and even nudge us out of our comfort zones, we believe it is a profound privilege to be with our community members and their families as they face the end of life. If you are able to make a commitment to this meaningful service, they invite you to register for the next volunteer training class.
Thursday evenings, 5:30-8:30pm September 14 through November 16, 2017
At the HVS offices in the MarbleWorks in downtown Middlebury
During your 10 weeks together you will learn about the concept of modern-day hospice and palliative care, how this care is provided in Addison County, how to be fully present and attentive when sitting with patients, information about topics such as patient care, dementia, family dynamics, bereavement – and much more. You will meet and learn from the Addison County Home Health & Hospice (ACHHH) hospice & palliative care team, including the team coordinator, hospice nurses, social worker and chaplain, as well as specialists in dementia and bereavement.
All volunteers must agree to the following:
- Attend 10 weeks of volunteer training (30 hours)
- Background checks conducted by HVS
- TB testing provided by ACHHH
- Adhere to the Confidentiality Policy of HVS and ACHHH
This 30 hour training is funded by the generosity of our community donors who appreciate that trainees, upon completion of this class, will volunteer their time and skills with hospice and palliative care patients in Addison County. You need only purchase your training manual for $25, provided at the first class meeting. Assistance is available for those who need help covering the cost of the training manual.
If you are interested in becoming a hospice volunteer, or have questions, please contact Priscilla Baker, Program Director, Hospice Volunteer Services at 802-388-4111 or pbaker@hospicevs.org