Submitted by Lopez Island Hospice and Home Support

Do you want to make a difference in someone’s life, including your own? Something highly satisfying? Learn important skills to help you respond with compassion and be more confident in navigating through difficult times?

Lopez Island Hospice and Home Support is looking for volunteers willing to give a few hours of their time to offer comfort and support to fellow islanders who are dealing with illness, injury, or at the end of life. Volunteers might read to a patient, play games, run errands, help with meals, or simply listen and provide companionship. Often, respite time for primary caregivers is an invaluable gift you can give.

As a volunteer, you will be able to decide how, when, and with whom you want to give your time. Your work will be supported and supervised by our staff and other volunteers.

The volunteer training class will begin with a full-day session on Saturday, Oct. 5, and followed by four Wednesday evening sessions. Topics include communication and listening skills, grief and loss, understanding end-of-life needs, assisting people with dementia, managing stress, and physical and spiritual care.

The only qualifications required are a desire to help your neighbors in need, and a commitment of two hours per week.

Please call the Lopez Island Hospice & Home Support office at 360-468-4446, or email admin@lihhs.org if you have questions or want an application. Applications are due by Sept. 26 and will be followed up with an in-person interview.