Bereavement Volunteers (for survivors of all ages) & Camp Dragonfly Volunteers (for grieving children and teens and their families)

Are you interested in supporting someone through the grieving process?

As part of our ongoing services for our Hospice patients, we provide bereavement support to their loved ones during the year after the Hospice patient has died. Some of our volunteers provide supportive phone calls, some provide supportive in-person meetings, some respond to requests to support a family in preparing for an upcoming loss and others help with mailings and events. We also have periodic openings for facilitators for our grief support groups. In addition, many volunteers help make Camp Dragonfly, a day-long program for grieving children and teens, happen each year.

How would I know if Im a good fit for this?

As with many of our volunteer opportunities, strong listening skills are key. Youll also likely be a good fit if you enjoy getting to know people and are comfortable being with them during a variety of stages through the grieving process. Our volunteers may be matched with a patients loved one a day after the patient has died or months later. In-person meetings might take place in a coffee shop, other public place, or in the patients home. In addition to listening and providing support, volunteers sometimes also help connect individuals with other helpful resources. Depending on your comfort level and preferences, you may be matched with survivors of any age.

Training Requirement:Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice provides 12 hours of Bereavement training, 3 hours of General Volunteer training, a background check and TB testing at no cost to you. Training is typically offered twice a week for three hours over the course of two weeks. Individuals interested in co-facilitating a grief support group are provided an additional 12 of hours of Bereavement Facilitator training. Any volunteers who wish to work with Camp Dragonfly must also complete a Department of Health and Human Services background check, also offered by Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice at no cost to you.

Ongoing Commitment:At least two hours per week for one year

Dates/Times Available:Most needs are for weekday visits. Support groups are offered at both daytime and evening hours during the week.

Next Steps:Respond here and we will schedule a time to talk with you by phone to review options and share upcoming training times. We also invite you to visit our website atwww.ahch.orgfor more information on our organization.

Special Note:We ask that anyone who has experienced a significant loss themselves wait at least 1 year before doing Bereavement volunteering.

Thank you for considering volunteering with

Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice