Training Sessions

Before becoming a volunteer you are required to have a recent national police check, to attend an informal interview prior to training and a follow-up one afterwards.

Training to the role of Hospice Volunteer and Orientation to the Organisation consists of around 25 hours of face to face training, which we acknowledge is a big commitment. New Volunteers will meet current Volunteers and learn about why they joined and why they continue to Volunteer with us. Subject Matter Experts speak to the group about such topics as Palliative Care, Grief, Loss and Bereavement, Spirituality, BackCare, Hand Massage and Dementia. Other topics include Communication, WH&S, Roles & Responsibilities, Policies, Code of Conduct, Diversity, Cultural Awareness, Ethics, the history of the Modern Hospice movement and many other areas.

There are no exams or tests and no formal qualification, however, at the end of the training/orientation, you will receive a certificate and have a folder full of handouts from the speakers to refer to.

Ongoing training is also given as needed or requested and volunteers are asked to attend volunteering sessions during the year.
Volunteers are neither counsellors nor medical experts and not permitted to perform any medical tasks, including dispensing of medications.