Compass Regional Hospice will offer two training sessions in March for individuals interested in volunteering to work with patients and their family members. The first session will be held on March 17, 18 and 19 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm at Caroline Hospice Foundation, 613 S. 5th Avenue in Denton. Another session will be held on March 24, 25 and 26 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Chestertown Presbyterian Church, 905 Gateway Drive in Chestertown. This training is free and open to anyone interested in becoming a volunteer for Compass Regional Hospice in Caroline, Kent and Queen Anne’s Counties.
Volunteer trainees will receive an overview of hospice and learn more about the process of dying, the stages of grief, and spiritual care as part of the hospice program. Other topics to be discussed include effective communications techniques, family dynamics, stress management and self-care for caregivers.
“Hospice volunteering is just like being a good neighbor—it is all about helping others and being there when someone needs you,” says Courtney Williams, manager of professional and volunteer services for Compass Regional Hospice. “There are many other ways to be a volunteer, depending on your interests and the amount of time you have to give.”
Patient care volunteers provide companionship and support to hospice patients and their loved ones in their homes and at the residential Hospice Center in Centreville. Volunteers also work closely with the Hope & Healing Center grief counselors as they maintain contact with family members after the death of a loved one. Other volunteers perform administrative tasks, assist with events and operate Estate Treasures, an upscale resale shop in Chester that raises funds for Compass Regional Hospice.
For 30 years Compass Regional Hospice has relied on a growing pool of volunteers of all ages in Queen Anne’s County. “Now that we are providing hospice and grief support in Caroline and Kent Counties, too, we invite men and women who want to be of service in these communities to consider volunteering for hospice,” says Williams.
For information about becoming a volunteer for Compass Regional Hospice, visit www.compassregionalhospice.org/volunteers or contact Courtney Williams, 443-262-4112,[email protected].
Lead photos is:Discussing hospice volunteer opportunities in Kent County are (left to right) Courtney Williams, manager of professional and volunteer; Heather Guerieri, executive director; hospice volunteer Linda Cades; Bob Denison, social worker; and hospice volunteer Nancy Schilling.
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