Visiting Volunteers #9013

Interested in making a difference in your community as a volunteer?
Join Rose Cottage Visiting Volunteers Community Hospice serving West Niagara

Our Mission: To ease the burdens of those with a life-limiting illness, their families, and caregivers, providing compassion in life and loss, from the time of diagnosis to the end-of-life-journey.

Our Vision: No one in our community faces a life-limiting illness without support, compassion, and dignity.
Visiting Volunteer Role Description

• Fill out a volunteer application on our website: www.rosecottagevolunteers.com
• Email us to learn more: contact@rosecottagevolunteers.com

Position Summary
Visiting Volunteers provide compassionate companionship and emotional support to individuals living with a life-limiting illness, as well as their caregivers and families. Volunteers visit clients in their homes, hospitals, retirement residences, or long-term care homes, offering meaningful conversation, active listening, and a caring presence. Through their support, volunteers help reduce social isolation, ease caregiver stress, and enhance quality of life while respecting each client’s dignity, values, choices, and independence.

Reports to: Client and Volunteer Coordinator or designate

Time commitment: Shifts are determined between client, volunteer and Client and Volunteer Coordinator. Visits can be weekly, biweekly or monthly and are usually 1-3 hours long.

Skills & Attributes
• Compassionate, empathetic, and emotionally mature.
• Strong active listening and communication skills.
• Comfortable engaging in conversations about illness, dying, death, grief, and loss.
• Ability to establish rapport while maintaining appropriate boundaries.
• Respectful, non-judgmental, and inclusive approach to diverse individuals and families.
• Dependable, punctual, and committed to the agreed-upon volunteer schedule.
• Able to work independently while recognizing when to seek support or guidance.
• Observant and able to recognize and communicate changes or concerns.
• Good judgment and ability to respond appropriately to unexpected situations.
• Comfortable entering and providing support within a client’s home or care environment.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion.
• Willingness to learn, receive feedback, and participate in ongoing education.
• Ability to remain calm and supportive during emotionally challenging situations.

Key Responsibilities
• Provide compassionate companionship, emotional support, and social connection to clients and caregivers.
• Participate in meaningful conversation, active listening, and activities based on the client’s interests and abilities.
• Conduct scheduled in-person or telephone visits according to the client’s needs and agreed-upon schedule.
• Contact the client before visits to confirm that they are comfortable receiving the visit.
• Become familiar with the client’s Health Information Package and Emergency Plan, where applicable.
• Complete and submit required visit documentation accurately and within established timelines.
• Communicate with the Client and Volunteer Coordinator regarding changes, concerns, missed visits, requests for additional support, or discontinuation of services.
• Report any health, safety, or environmental concerns observed during a visit.
• Notify the Client and Volunteer Coordinator as soon as possible when unable to attend a scheduled visit.
• Participate in volunteer meetings, education, supervision, debriefing, and ongoing development opportunities.

Screening Requirements:
• Volunteer Application
• Interview with Client and Volunteer Coordinator and Executive Director
• Personal Reference Checks (2)
• Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC): must be completed every three years and an annual offense declaration must be signed for each year when the VSC is not completed

Training & Evaluation:
• Hospice Palliative Care Ontario (HPCO) Volunteer Training (approximately 30 hours)
• Role specific orientation and training
• Ongoing observation and feedback
• Annual education and mandatory updates as required
• Annual volunteer reviews