Mountain Valley Hospice & Palliative Care depends upon volunteers to help deliver compassionate care to patients at the end of life. Not surprisingly, COVID-19 restrictions put a damper on hospice volunteer opportunities during much of 2020 and 2021.
“Thankfully, covid vaccinations have made it possible for our wonderful volunteers to return to our offices and hospice homes, assisted living facilities, and patients’ homes,” said Sara Tavery, senior director of philanthropy. “Now, we’re making a big push to bring back our current volunteers as well as attract new volunteers for our entire service area in North Carolina and Virginia.”
Hospice volunteers make a difference at a very difficult time in patients’ and their families’ lives. Volunteers often find their own lives enriched knowing they have made a positive impact for patients on their end-of-life journeys.
“Those with time, compassion, and an eagerness to serve from the heart make the best hospice volunteers,” said Tavery. “We offer an array of volunteer roles to match a volunteer’s interest, experience level, and time availability. Our volunteer opportunities are almost endless.”
Mountain Valley Hospice’s most urgent need is for patient support volunteers. These volunteers visit at patients’ bed sides to offer comfort and a listening ear. They may provide companionship by reading or singing to a patient. They can run errands, help with light household tasks, or provide respite for a patient’s family member.
There is also a real need for volunteers who are licensed or certified to provide specialized services such as art, massage, music, and pet therapies as well as hairdressers and notaries. Mountain Valley Hospice also needs volunteers to help in their offices, at community and fundraising events, and in their resale shops.
Most volunteers are required to complete a training program, pass a background check, and meet other requirements, depending on their volunteer role. If you are interested in a rewarding experience as a hospice volunteer, contact Heidi College at 1-336-917-8550 or hcollege@mtnvalleyhospice.org