Volunteers

In Patient Unit (IPU) Volunteers

Like any home there is always light household tasks to be completed, meals to serve, and dishes to be done. Our volunteers provide a welcome addition to our housekeeping team assisting the housekeepers to provide hospitality second to none for the patients and families in the IPU. They also provide delicious morning and afternoon teas to our special donors, and guests, as well as nurturing the staff

Time required: Rostered duties 3-4 hours a week or fortnight morning, afternoon or early evening seven days a week.
Training: Orientation and on the job training buddied with an experienced volunteer.

Receptionists

The reception volunteers are often the first contact people have with North Shore Hospice. We are therefore looking for warm, friendly volunteers who will meet and greet the patients, families and visitors, as well as doing some administrative tasks e.g. photocopying and mail sorting.. Weekend and early evening volunteers in the In Patient Unit also operate the switchboard

Time required: Rostered over seven days shifts maybe morning, afternoon and early evening for 3-4 hours.
Training: Initial Orientation and on the job training buddied with an experienced volunteer.

Community Home Visitors:

These volunteers visit patients and families in their homes. They provide the opportunity for caregivers to take some well needed time out and provide a supportive listening ear. This is the very first service that was established and is the foundation on which North Shore Hospice has been built.

Time required: 3-4 hours per week.
Training: Initial Orientation plus an additional twelve hours Community Visitor Course. These are held once or twice a year once we have sufficient numbers of new volunteers. Some volunteers work in other areas prior to undertaking this additional training

Day Group

Day Group volunteers host patients at the Hospice centre giving them a social outing and their caregivers some time-out. Volunteers serve morning tea and lunch, and provide lots of fun and laughter as well as a listening ear.

Time required: 4-4.5 hours weekly or fortnightly.
Training: Two days Volunteer Introduction Course.

Gardeners

Our small but totally dedicated gardener team work rain or shine to maintain our beautiful grounds.

Time required: 2-3 hours twice a week.
Training: Orientation, plus Green thumbs and a love of the outdoors.

Patient Drivers

Our volunteer drivers provide a regular chauffeur service bringing patients to and from Day Group and occasionally taking them to hospital and doctors appointments.

Time required: Variable, although usually it is no more than one trip a week.
Training: Orientation plus completion of a Defensive Driving Course

Life Review

These Volunteers are available to give patients the opportunity to tell their story and have it recorded in a bound format for their loved ones. It is a wonderful way to relay memories and messages as well as expressing their hopes and dreams - or to have the last word! Life Review volunteers need to be able to write and transcribe from a Dictaphone or tape on to a computer.

Time required: Approximately 4-6 hours per week when recording and transcribing plus attending one two hour meeting per month.
Training: Two day Volunteer Introduction Training plus additional training.

Hospice Shop Staff

The Hospice shops play an important part in providing the revenue to fund North Shore Hospice. Shops, entirely run by volunteers, are located in Birkenhead, Takapuna, Glenfield, Browns Bay, Link Drive, Beach Haven and Albany. Shop hours are generally Mon – Fri 10am – 4pm, Sat 10am – 1pm.

Time required: 3 hrs per week.
Training: Orientation plus introductory Volunteer training.

Hospice Warehouse

Receiving and distribution centre for furniture, clothing and bric a brac donated for sale in Hospice shops. Position involves, sorting goods and helping at monthly garage sales.

Time and training as above.

Van/Truck Drivers

Strong able bodied volunteers needed to assist our Storeman/Driver in the collection of furniture and goods for the Hospice Shops.

Time required: 3 hrs per week.
Training: Orientation plus introductory Volunteer training.

Events Committee

The Events Committee take responsibility for organising a number of special events throughout the year. Teams of volunteers are needed either to be on the organising committee or to be volunteer support at various events including Platinum Homes Tour, Golf and Tennis Tournaments, Movie Nights, Celebrity Lunchs, etc.

Time: Regular Committee meeting plus time depending on event.
Training: Orientation.

Special Projects

From time to time we require ad hoc volunteers for one off projects e.g. handing out Appeal Week flyers, collecting at invited events, running a sausage sizzle, helping with a special sale etc.

Training: Orientation.

If you are interested in Volunteering for North Shore Hospice, please contact us.