Hospice Volunteer Training—Fall 2024

The service of a Volunteer is at the heart of what Hospice offers to families who are caring for a loved one who is dying, and for loved ones who have lost someone on our service. We also offer grief support groups to the community. This training is for Volunteer Visitors (VV’s) AND Grief Support Volunteers(GSV’s). Volunteer Visitors (VV’s) are understanding listeners, the ones who extend a hand to hold, provide companionship and presence at the bedside that comforts patients, and often makes it possible for a caregiver to have a few hours of respite. VV’s can also serve
as Pet Companion and Massage Therapy VV’s. Grief Support Volunteers (GSV’s) provide check-in calls, co- facilitate grief support groups for those who have already experienced a loss, and/or provide 1:1 grief support.

Hospice of Santa Cruz County (HSCC) needs specialized volunteers who are:
• Certified massage therapists
• Bi-lingual in English & Spanish and/or bi-cultural
• Pet companion visitors
• Veterans wanting to serve other veterans

The 16-19 hour training on zoom is interactive and experiential, (video on/your presence required) and especially designed to prepare volunteers to perform these vital services. HSCC asks that candidates be able to make a volunteering commitment of 3-4 hours per week for at least one year; attend monthly support group when possible, and complete the mandatory annual education requirement that we provide. All training is
provided free of charge by HSCC. Volunteers are currently required to have TB test (2 step or Quantiferon test paid for as part of the training), and background checks.