Join Our Family of Volunteers
As a volunteer, you will be part of a team fulfilling an important mission: providing compassion, care, and comfort for those coping with a life-limiting illness, and support to their families and loved ones.
Kathy Leddy
Volunteer Services Manager
Contact our Volunteer Department
207-289-3652
volunteer@hospiceofsouthernmaine.org
Overview
Our volunteers experience profound emotional and spiritual rewards that come from deeply meaningful work, whether they contribute direct care or organizational support.
Hospice of Southern Maine offers many volunteer opportunities that include direct care, administrative, special events and complimentary services including our PawPrints, Reiki, and HeartStrings programs.
We encourage individuals who have pet therapy animals, Reiki certification or musical talents as well as the desire to care for others to apply to become volunteers.
Volunteer Training Courses
Individuals interested in becoming a Direct Care Volunteer participate in one of our 40-hour trainings.
Trainings are held annually in April, June, and September. Some sessions will be held virtually over Teams while others will take place in person at our main office in Scarborough.
If you are interested in participating in a training course, please complete the application process described below.
Direct Care Volunteers
Hospice of Southern Maine provides a comprehensive training program and ongoing support to volunteers working with our patients and their families. The initial training ensures that volunteers have the skills and confidence to be well prepared for this role. No healthcare background is needed.
Volunteers complete the professional circle of hospice care. In addition to being good listeners, our volunteers are compassionate, reliable, non-judgmental, and they understand the importance of confidentiality. They enjoy working with all types of people. Direct Care Volunteers provide non-medical aid and support in the following ways:
Providing companionship and emotional support for patients, caregivers, and families
Providing respite care to allow caregivers time to themselves
Assisting with errands
Helping with light household chores or light meal prep
Providing bedside companionship for patients alone in their final hours
Assisting with life review, letter writing, or completion of projects
Offering grief support following the death of a loved one
Providing therapy animals (PawPrints), music (Heartstrings Program) or Reiki visits
Kitchen support at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House
Commitment & Requirements:
Completion of application packet
Completion of the 40-hour Hospice Volunteer Training
Favorable background check
Substance use testing with a negative result
Mandatory TB Screening and immunization documentation
CDC required immunizations
A minimum commitment of 3-4 hours per week for a minimum of 1 year
Volunteers must complete all annual policy review and continuing education requirements
Must be at least 18 years of age
If you have recently experienced a significant loss, it is recommended that you wait at least one year before volunteering in a Direct Care capacity. During that year, you may choose to volunteer as an Administrative/Special Event Volunteer.
Administrative Volunteers
Administrative Volunteers provide non-direct care on a sporadic basis either on-site or at an off-site event. Volunteer service may include the following:
Stuffing envelopes
Packet building
Filing
Assisting with special events
Commitment & Requirements:
Completion of application packet
Review and sign policies including Confidentiality Agreement
Favorable background check
Substance abuse testing with a negative result
Mandatory TB Screening and immunization documentation
CDC Required Immunizations
Must be at least 18 years of age
Special Event Volunteers
Several times a year, we host special events and are always grateful for an extra hand. Such community events include Twilight in the Park and Hike for Hospice.
For these events, we welcome groups as well as minors to volunteer.
Commitment & Requirements:
Completion of Contact Form
Review and sign policies including Confidentiality Agreement
Application Process
Anyone interested in becoming a Direct Care or Administrative Volunteer must submit an application and reference forms. Upon approval of their application, Direct Care applicants also must complete one of our 40-hour training courses.
Applications and reference forms can be downloaded here:
Direct Care Letter (Direct Care Volunteer applicants only)
Completed forms may be submitted to our Volunteer Team by email at volunteer@hospiceofsouthernmaine.org or by fax at 207-289-3109.
Applications and reference forms also can be completed online at these links. Completed forms will be emailed automatically to the volunteer team.
