Volunteers
Members of the community wishing to make a difference in the lives of others are invited to join the Sumner Hospice volunteer team. We provide opportunities for making new friends, helping others, broadening skills and knowledge, and bringing happiness and peace to those in need. Sumner Hospice volunteers provide emotional support, companionship, respite care, community education, office and administrative assistance, as well as, support for special events and services.
Sumner Hospice volunteers may share their time and talents in a number of ways, whether they have regular, limited or intermittent time to give, we will work with the volunteer to enable them to contribute comfortably within their schedule. Volunteers may be adults or minors with written permission from their legal guardian. If you are interested in volunteering please complete the volunteer application and
fax to (615) 328-3891 or call (615) 328-5675
to request more information.
Sumner Hospice volunteer opportunities include, but are not limited to:
Patient Care
Patient care volunteers spend time directly with patients and their families in their home providing emotional support and companionship for both the patient and their loved ones. They also provide respite to the caregivers by staying with the patient while the caregiver runs errands, assisting with household chores, preparing meals, etc. Patient care volunteers receive special training in listening and communicating skills in an end-of-life environment.
Special Services
Special services volunteers have a professional license or area of expertise specifically beneficial to a patient and/or their loved ones. Examples would include art, music or pet therapy; therapeutic massage; hair styling; and clinical training. They are required to keep their license current.
Administrative Support
Administrative volunteers provide support to the Sumner Hospice operations team and administrative staff. They focus on assisting with office functions such as reception or clerical duties, special projects, mailings, data entry, filing, faxing and photocopying. They receive special training on their assigned tasks.
Special Events
Special events volunteers work on a specific project or aspect of a project, such as seasonal gifts or major fundraising events, memorial services, workshops, conferences, seminars and other special events. They are trained on the project or task to be completed. Special project volunteers often return to their projects or events of interest on a regular basis.
Bereavement Volunteers
Bereavement volunteers support various aspects of the Sumner Hospice free, 13 month Grief Support program. They will make phone calls and send letters to the bereaved loved ones on a scheduled basis. They also may assist with the monthly or 5-week grief support groups, and specific mailings. They receive special training on the bereavement program, the stages of grief, and listening and communications skills in a bereavement environment.
* Please note that if you have personally experienced a recent passing of a loved one, we request that you wait 12 months before actively volunteering. In the interim, we welcome you to benefit from out bereavement program and/or grief support groups.
How much time would I have to give?
Most volunteers average four hours each week. Some give more, some give less. Schedules are arranged to suit your availability.
What about vacations?
We know that everyone takes a vacation, and plans often conflict with your volunteer schedule. We will work with you to find a substitute when you are away.
Does it cost anything?
Volunteers offer their services at no personal cost. Every volunteer is considered a member of the SRHS Volunteer Association, Friends of Sumner Hospice.
If I am already working a full or part time job, are there volunteer opportunities for me?
Yes, we work with your schedule to arrange times and choices that are convenient for you.
If I am already a paid employee of the Sumner Regional Health System, can I still volunteer?
Yes, you can volunteer as long as your volunteer activity does not include tasks which typically would be included in the responsibilities of your paid employee job description.
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