Volunteer

As a volunteer, you are a treasured member of the Hospice Austin team. Whether you elect to visit patients, share a specific talent or assist a program that interests you, we welcome your support. Our volunteers share our calling to bring comfort and help to others when they need it the most.

Who are volunteers?

• People 18 years and older give time and talents to support and broaden the work of our organization
• Friends or relatives of former hospice patients
• People who have heard about Hospice Austin and believe in our work
• People from both rural and urban areas
• People from all cultures and backgrounds

What do volunteers do?

Patient/family support
Your visit can make someone’s day! Our volunteers bring companionship to our patients and their loved ones. You can visit and read with patients, run errands, write letters, listen to music, play cards or games, take walks, assist the patient and family with projects, provide transportation to appointments, and give the caregiver time to get away for short periods. You can make a profound difference in a family’s life as a compassionate and calm presence who understands what they’re going through.

Bereavement support
You can work closely with Hospice Austin’s bereavement staff in duties that range from assisting as a support group facilitator to being an understanding listener for family members whose loved ones have died. Bereavement support volunteers receive extensive training beyond the training of patient companion volunteers.

Office support
We also welcome help in our administrative offices. Various duties may include data entry, record keeping, filing and telephone duties. Fundraising responsibilities can range from preparing mailings or thank you letters to organizing fundraising events and contacting possible donors.

Community awareness
Word-of-mouth is a very important way people learn about our care and mission. You can volunteer to act as an ambassador for Hospice Austin, sharing our story at community events like health fairs. You also can help us raise awareness of the resources Hospice Austin makes available to our community.

Special skills and services
We are always on the lookout for volunteers with specific skills to help our patients and their families. These include licensed massage and acupuncture professionals, licensed hair cutters, pet therapy volunteers, and musicians. Spanish-speaking volunteers are also in high demand.

Volunteer Training

All Hospice Austin volunteers are encouraged to attend volunteer training. Volunteers who wish to work directly with patient and families are required to complete volunteer training. Other volunteers who would like to help in the office or at special events must apply and receive on-the-job orientation and training.

Training sessions are held in February and September. Additional dates will be posted on this page in the future. Each course consists of six sessions and all six are required to volunteer. Three are in-person at our main office at 4107 Spicewood Springs Road and three sessions are on-line.

To become a volunteer, please print out and complete the Volunteer Application Forms, including two reference letters, then contact our volunteer coordinator by email to request an interview.

Hospice Austin volunteers commit to at least one year of service unless there are unusual circumstances. Usually, assigned volunteers provide weekly visits to patient/families with flexibility for different schedules.

For questions about volunteering, please email us here.

Thank you so much for your willingness to help.