Why Volunteers Matter in Hospice Care
Under Medicare hospice guidelines, volunteers are a required and integral part of every hospice program. They are not an afterthought, they are woven into the fabric of how hospice care is meant to be delivered.
At Grace and Glory Hospice, we take that responsibility seriously. Our volunteers are trained, supported, and genuinely valued. You’ll work alongside a team that leads with compassion and treats every patient and family as if they were their own.
What Hospice Volunteers Do
Hospice volunteers provide non-medical support that makes a genuine difference for patients and the families caring for them. Our volunteers extend the reach of our care team in ways that go far beyond what any clinical visit alone can offer.
As a volunteer, you might:
- Sit with a patient so a family caregiver can rest, run errands, or simply take a breath
- Offer companionship through conversation, reading aloud, listening to music, or sharing a quiet moment
- Assist with light tasks such as writing letters, organizing photos, or helping with correspondence
- Support bereaved family members after a loved one has passed, as part of our bereavement follow-up program
- Help with administrative tasks at our Brentwood office for those who prefer behind-the-scenes support
No two volunteer experiences look exactly the same, and that’s intentional. We work with each volunteer to find the role that fits their strengths, schedule, and comfort level.
What We Look For in a Volunteer
You don’t need a medical degree or previous hospice experience to serve with us. What we look for is far more human than that.
Our ideal volunteers are people who:
- Approach others with genuine warmth, patience, and respect
- Can sit with difficult emotions without feeling the need to fix or rush them
- Are dependable, consistent, and follow through on their commitments
- Respect confidentiality and understand the trust families place in our team
- Communicate openly with our staff and ask for support when needed
- Are comfortable in home, nursing facility, or assisted living environments
Backgrounds we welcome:
We receive volunteers from all walks of life, retired nurses and teachers, college students studying social work or nursing, faith community members, and neighbors who simply want to do something that matters. What unites them is not their resume, but their heart.
A background in healthcare, social work, counseling, chaplaincy, or community service can be an asset, but it is never a requirement.
Types of Volunteer Roles
Grace and Glory Hospice offers volunteer opportunities that match a range of interests, availability, and comfort levels. Patient and Family Support Volunteers Provide direct companionship and respite to patients and their loved ones in homes, skilled nursing facilities, or assisted living communities throughout our service area.
Bereavement Support Volunteers
offer compassionate check-ins and follow-up support to families who have lost a loved one. This role is especially suited to individuals who have personal experience with grief and a gift for listening.
Administrative and Office Volunteers
support the Grace and Glory team from our Brentwood office with tasks such as data entry, mailings, event coordination, and general office support.
Special Skills Volunteers
If you have a unique skill, music, art, pet therapy, or another specialty, we want to hear from you. These contributions can bring unexpected moments of joy and comfort to the patients we serve.
How to Become a Volunteer
Joining our volunteer program is a straightforward process, and we’ll walk you through every step.
Step 1: Express Your Interest.
Reach out to our team by phone [650-898-5784], or through our contact form.
Step 2: Initial Interview.
We’ll schedule a brief, relaxed conversation to learn more about your background, availability, and what draws you to hospice volunteer work.
Step 3: Screening and Clearance.
All volunteers complete a background check and health screening.
Step 4: Volunteer Orientation and Training.
Before your first visit, you’ll complete our volunteer orientation program.
Step 5: Your First Assignment.
Once training is complete, we’ll match you with a patient or role that fits your strengths and availability.
What Patients Are Saying About Us
Ready to Start Volunteering?
If volunteering with Grace and Glory Hospice feels right for you, we’d love to connect. Reach out to our team and let us know you’re interested. Call us at 650-898-5784 or visit our Contact page to send us a message directly. We’ll answer your questions, walk you through the process, and help you find the role that fits.
You don’t need to have everything figured out before reaching out. A simple “I’m interested” is a perfect place to start.