Hospice Volunteers in the Bay Area
Join Our Team: The Need for Hospice Care Volunteers
Volunteers are the unsung heroes of hospice care. They offer something rare and precious: time, compassion, and a genuine human presence. We at Grace and Glory Hospice see our volunteers as vital members of our care team, contributing in immeasurable ways to the emotional and spiritual well-being of our patients and their families.
A Unique, Rewarding Experience
Volunteering with a hospice is unlike any other service opportunity. You will have the chance to bring comfort to individuals in their last months, weeks, or days of life. This can include sitting quietly with someone who just wants companionship, providing respite to family caregivers who desperately need a break, or sharing talents like music, writing, or simple conversation. The moments you create may be brief, but they are often deeply meaningful.
Begin Your Volunteer Journey Today
We welcome you to fill out the form below to express your interest in becoming a Grace and Glory Hospice Volunteer. Once we have your details, we will be in touch to discuss the next steps.
Thank you for considering this unique way to give back. We welcome volunteers across Contra Costa, San Joaquin, Alameda, Sacramento, Hayward, San Mateo, Castro Valley, Brentwood, Oakland, Walnut Creek, and the surrounding areas. By donating your time, you are extending our capacity to deliver not just care, but meaningful companionship and solace during a deeply significant chapter in people’s lives.
We look forward to learning about your talents and interests, and to working alongside you as part of our dedicated team at Grace and Glory Hospice. Your commitment allows us to bring a fuller sense of community and warmth to everyone we serve.
Who Can Volunteer?
We believe that everyone has a gift to share. Our volunteers come from all walks of life—students, retirees, working professionals, individuals of all ages, faiths, and cultural backgrounds. The only requirement is a compassionate spirit and a willingness to learn. Whether you are extroverted or introverted, good with your hands or gifted in the arts, there is a place for you here.
Volunteer Training
We value our volunteers and want them to feel confident in their role. To that end, we provide comprehensive hospice volunteer training. This program helps you understand the hospice philosophy, learn how to interact respectfully with patients and families, and establish healthy emotional boundaries for yourself. The training usually covers:
Examples of Volunteer Roles
- Patient Companionship: Offer a listening ear or engage in simple activities like reading, playing cards, or watching TV with patients.
- Music Therapy: Share musical talent to bring joy or trigger precious memories—particularly beneficial for those with dementia.
- Office Assistance: Help with phone calls, letter-writing, data entry, and light administrative tasks to keep our bereavement program organized.
- Memory Sharing: Assist families in documenting patients’ life stories, whether through journaling, audio recordings, or photo albums.
- Hospice Philosophy and Mission: Gain insight into what it means to serve at the end of life.
- Communication Skills: Learn to listen actively, offer empathy, and hold space for a range of emotions.
- Understanding Patient Needs: Get acquainted with common medical conditions, symptom management basics, and the unique goals of hospice care.
- Self-Care for Volunteers: Discover techniques to maintain your own emotional well-being, including stress management and reflective practices.
What Volunteers Do Not Do
It is important to note that volunteers do not perform medical tasks or provide physical patient care. We have a professional clinical staff and hospice nurses for that. Instead, volunteers focus on the extra elements of support—emotional presence, practical help, and companionship. By taking on these roles, you allow our medical staff to concentrate on clinical care, while also making the hospice experience more well-rounded for patients and families.
How Volunteering Works Tailored to Your Needs
Once you have completed the orientation and training, we discuss your availability and preferred volunteer roles. We match you with patients or tasks that suit your interests and skill set. Generally, volunteers spend about 30 minutes to an hour per visit, though some choose to stay longer if the patient desires and it fits with everyone’s schedule. You can also count your driving time toward your volunteer hours, recognizing that travel can be a significant part of the commitment.
Family Relief and Companionship
During your visits, you might offer to stay with a patient while the primary caregiver runs errands or takes some much-needed rest. Some families will choose to stay with you and the patient, enjoying the company and conversation. Others will step away for a breather. In either scenario, your presence can be a beacon of comfort, offering families the assurance that their loved one is not alone.
Appreciation for Volunteers
Our volunteers are critical to our mission, and we make sure they feel valued. From special recognition events to personalized certificates, we celebrate the time and dedication you offer. Each hour you volunteer translates into a tangible, positive impact on a family’s life. This sense of purpose and mutual gratitude helps forge strong bonds within our hospice community.