Langley Hospice Society
Volunteering

Regular Hospice Volunteer Services
If you are interested in volunteering with clients, please call Fernande at 604-530-1115. For all other volunteer opportunities, please contact Cheryl at 604-530-1115.

One Hospice Volunteer's Viewpoint I've been working as a hospice volunteer now since December, 2007. It was a choice that surprised many of my family and friends - my youngest son even said, "Mum, you won't be able to do that - you're too emotional"! But, that's what I'm doing, and I love it. Read more...	A Volunteer's Perspective on Second Story Treasures - "The Store" Volunteering at Second Story Treasures has made a tremendous difference in my life. I feel a real connection to the community and I've gained immeasurably from the support I've received from my fellow volunteers. We are a team - and it feels like "family". Read more...
Being a Hospice Volunteer When my beloved husband was dying of colon cancer in1998, after an almost five-year struggle, Dorscie Paterson from Langley Hospice Society reached out to me, in Langley Memorial, and made me aware of this wonderful group. Each evening when I returned home from the hospital, there was an encouraging message from Dorscie that really helped Read more...	The Hospice Experience - From An Office Volunteer When I retired two years ago this month, I knew I wanted to continue to contribute to my community in some way. Having worked as a Public Health Nurse for 30 years, I had experienced the satisfaction and rewards of working with people to make a difference in their lives. At the same time, I wanted to do something that I didn't have to "carry home with me". Read more...
My Hospice Volunteering Experience In 2002, I spent a month with my sister in a Duluth, Georgia Hospice. Gail was diagnosed with sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (rare, degenerative brain disorder) in mid-July and died in September. We shared a room growing up, as young women before we married and shared a room on her final journey. We had gone full circle. The Hospice was a warm caring environment for all family members and patients. It was this experience with my sister that eventually led me to look into what I could do for hospice here in Langley. I became a Hospice volunteer almost 6.5 years ago; I started off by helping with the newsletter. Then when a sewing group started, I was asked to join, although at the time I was not a sewer. I took sewing lessons and then quilting lessons. We make quilts for children going through the grieving process. When a child goes through bereavement support, either individually or in a group, he/she receives a comfort quilt at the end of their program. Read more...	You Volunteer at Hospice?! You volunteer at Hospice?!! Isn't that depressing??? These are statements that I hear often. To me volunteering at Hospice is an honour. Do I find it depressing? Absolutely not!! Read more... Hospice Volunteer Experiences One evening I sat with a man who appeared to be sleeping. I stayed for a few minutes, quietly watching, before moving on to visit others. When I returned later, he was awake. I told him that I had come in earlier. He said, "I knew you were there". It made me realize that my presence was important to the people in care, even if not always acknowledged. Read more...
Volunteering with the Children's Group Personal experiences and dealing with loss has enabled me to become a hospice volunteer for the past 2.5 years. The grieving journey was sometimes difficult and confusing. I am grateful to be able to share my knowledge and understanding with others as I continue to learn and experience new things. Read more...	A Poem about the Hospice Thrift Store YOU should come and visit us in our Hospice Store It might be secondhand to you but you'll find so much more Nice clothes, dishes, pots and pans, Read more...

These are some of the volunteer positions we're looking for:

Foundation Board of Directors:
The Board of Directors' mandate is to raise funds to support the programs of the Langley Hospice Society.
Society Board of Directors:
The Board of Directors are responsible for ensuring that the actions of the Society are in conformity with the Society Act.
Office Reception:
Answering phones, directing calls, greeting clients and other light office duties
Hospice Thrift Store:
Sorting items, customer services and setting up displays
Yard:
Assist with the general maintenance of the yard (seasonal)
Gardening:
Planting and maintaining the gardens (seasonal)
House Repairs:
Electrical, plumbing, carpentry and other general maintenance
Public Relations:
Increase public awareness by providing information to the community through tending a Hospice Booth at various community events.
Newsletter Team:
Assist with folding, stuffing and mailing out our quarterly newsletter.
Brochure Distribution:
Delivering pamphlets to local agencies
Caring Hands Quilting Group:
Join a group of women who meet once monthly to work on quilts for children going through the grieving process.

Fund Raising and Events:

• Journey Walk/Run for Remembrance:
  This annual fundraiser occurs in May and is held at George Preston Civic Centre in Langley. We need help with refreshments, parking patrol, children's activities, tending the Hospice Information Booth, setting up and cleaning up.
• Celebrate-a-Life:
  This annual event occurs the first two weeks in December at the Willowbrook Mall. Volunteers are needed to tend a Hospice seasonal display, to provide information and to lend an ear to people who are remembering their loved one.
• Coordinating Special Events & Projects:
  Provide assistance with coordination of various events and/or projects.

Client Hospice Volunteer Services
In order to become a client volunteer, hospice training is required, at a cost of $100.00. This ten-week 30-hour training is designed to provide the basic skills and knowledge you need to give emotional support to dying and/or bereaved people and their families. Sessions occur twice a year. Please contact Fernande at 604-530-1115 for more information and to register.

Palliative 1:1 Support:
Volunteers offer and provide companionship and emotional support to a dying person and his or her family.
Bereavement 1:1 Support:
Volunteers offer and provide emotional support to those who have lost a loved one through death.
Hospital Residence Visiting Team:
A team of hospice volunteers who are there to listen and offer emotional support to the dying and their families at the Langley Hospice Residence.