Volunteering

Volunteers are important members of the comprehensive VNH support team for every patient and family. Volunteers provide companionship, respite for caregivers, and lend a hand with practical needs. VNH provides specialized training and support and thoughtfully works with each volunteer and family to create a meaningful connection. Volunteer assistance may include:

• Engaging in conversation; listening
• Preparing a meal; shopping
• Reading aloud books or newspapers
• Playing cards, games, or sitting in quiet companionship
• Basic in-home pet care such as dog walking, grooming, litter box changing

Trainings are conducted throughout the year.

As part of our commitment to partnering with the We Honor Veterans program, VNH is looking for Veteran-to-Veteran Volunteers. This program aims to pair recruited Veteran volunteers with hospice patients who have been identified as Veterans. Once paired with hospice patients who also have military experience, Veteran volunteers have the unique ability to relate and connect with each patient thereby creating an environment where life review and healing can occur.

• Assist Veterans in reminiscing/telling life stories.
• Educate and assist patients in receiving Veteran benefits.
• Take part in pinning ceremonies or distribute certificates for Veterans Day and other recognition events.

Volunteers provide valuable help with administrative tasks in our White River Junction office, assisting with mailings, data entry, and other tasks as needed.

VNH receives municipal support from more than 80 towns in our service area. Volunteers help us meet annual requirements related to this funding, including:

• Gathering petition signatures for selected towns during the year
• Speaking on behalf of VNH at town meetings.

This program offers a patient and family members the opportunity for a restaurant meal in their home. Each month, one family is chosen to receive a dinner date. Local restaurants then donate a meal to the family. As a dinner date volunteer, you would help to pick up the meal, set up the home and table, serve as wait staff for the family and provide clean up after the meal.

Vigil volunteers are assigned to bring comfort, support and companionship to patients and their family members or facility staff during the during the time in the final hours/days before the patient’s death. The vigil volunteer must be willing to be called for assignment on short notice.

Bereavement volunteers help to provide support during the 12 months following the passing of a hospice patient. Tasks can include helping in the office with hospice mailings, phone calls to bereaved families, and visitation with family members. Often volunteers continue with the family of their assigned patient through the bereavement months.

Special events volunteers work under the supervision of the volunteer coordinator and the event chairperson to offer help and support. Tasks could include helping with set up and tear down, handing out materials, and assisting staff with event related needs.

This program grants wishes to VNH Hospice patients that are battling life-limiting illnesses. Volunteers assist in giving compassionate assistance to those at the end of life’s journey and making their wishes come true.

Patients and families often share stories about ways they were impacted by the care VNH provided. These are deeply gratifying to read and a testament to our commitment to enriching lives by delivering outstanding home health and hospice services. If you’d like to share your experience with VNH, write us a letter or send us an email and we’ll include it in a special section on our website.