NEWS RELEASE
HOSPICE ORILLIA
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Would you like to play a more active role in your community? Do you find meaning in impacting the lives of others? Hospice Orillia may be just what you are looking for!
At Hospice Orillia, both staff and volunteers have the opportunity to foster genuine connections with community members and are able to truly be there for those who are at a very vulnerable point in their lives.
By supporting others during what can be a very emotional and confusing time, Hospice Orillia becomes a major part of the client’s hospice palliative care team. In addition, the team also helps to guide people through the process of dealing with loss. Together, we can have open conversations about life and death, and assist others through their grief, bereavement and mourning.
“As our programs continue to evolve with the communities needs, we are in need of additional volunteers to help ensure we are able to serve everyone who is in need of support,” Louise Brazier, bereavement services coordinator, notes. “There really is something for everyone at Hospice Orillia.”
Is volunteering at Hospice Orillia for you?
“I truly enjoy working with families through the Hospice and providing any comfort or companionship. It’s wonderful to be able to provide a listening ear and to add a positive moment to their day,” Hospice Orillia volunteer Jade stated.
“It’s been truly rewarding being a part of the Footprints Project as well and helping loved ones leave something special behind that will be cherished by their family forever. It is an incredible honour to be a part of. I’m so grateful to provide any sense of relief – whether it being respite or social.”
You do not need prior education or experience to be an effective volunteer – you just need empathy, kindness and compassion.
Hospice Orillia will provide you with education on hospice palliative care that will help guide you through your volunteer role. The community members that Hospice Orillia works with are usually going through a very difficult time in their lives, and need thoughtful and caring individuals to be there for them. Hospice Orillia takes pride in the fact that we can be there to reach out to those in need, support them in whatever way possible and most importantly, be there to listen.
If you have even just an hour or two each week, you have the ability to make an impact in your local community by being a volunteer at Hospice Orillia. Volunteering not only makes a difference in the community, but a difference in the personal lives of volunteers.
Volunteering positions available include:
• Visiting volunteers. These volunteers visit community members who are dealing with life-limiting illnesses. In this position, you will get the opportunity to support these people at a critical time in their lives.
• Complementary therapy volunteers. These volunteers provide Massage Therapy and Reiki to individuals living with life-limiting illness and their caregivers. In this position, you will have the opportunity to provide people with comforting care that promotes relaxation and reduces anxiety.
• Footprints project volunteers. These volunteers assist individuals with life-limiting illness to complete legacy projects that help the person to reflect on special memories and moments in their lives, and can act as gifts to loved ones. In this position, you will assist individuals in letter writing/card making, scrapbooking, and/or creating a beautiful book with their life story.
• Bereavement support. These volunteers provide support to anyone who is experiencing grief due to the death of a loved one. Through groups and one on one peer support, individuals are provided a safe space and time each week to work and grow through their grief journey.
• Event committees and fundraising volunteers. These volunteers play a critical role in organizing events and actively participating in growing Hospice Orillia’s community.
“The past year has been filled with change and uncertainty,” says Stefanie Collins, Visiting Hospice coordinator and social worker for Hospice Orillia.
“The silver lining is that we have seen individuals, families and communities come together to support one another in whatever way they can. If you are interested in helping to support those living with life-limiting illness in your community, we would love to hear from you," added Collins.
For more information on our volunteer programs, how to get involved and to fill out your application to volunteer with us, please visit us online or call Megan Lowrie, program assistant at 705-325-0505, ext. 108.
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