“Volunteering at Cowichan Hospice has meant that my retirement has been way more fulfilling than I ever dreamed it would be, where I can provide support to individuals and families at a difficult time,” says Duncan resident Marg Budd.
She has been a Cowichan Hospice volunteer for eight years, serving community members at Cowichan District Hospital, providing grief care and palliative support as well as Therapeutic Touch, which provides relief from stress and physical and emotional pain.
“I’m grateful to meet and work with a team of skilled, compassionate and dedicated hospice staff who continually inspire me,” she adds.
Since 1981, Cowichan Hospice has been providing compassionate end-of-life care in the Cowichan Valley. This would not be possible without the work of volunteers who walk alongside community members in their final days and create spaces of gentleness, compassion and dignity.
Even in the midst of the pandemic, hospice volunteers provided emotional support to community members in their homes, at the Community Services Centre on Gibbins Road and at Cowichan Hospice House, which opened in November 2020. Volunteers continually adapted according to public health guidelines and provided care over the phone and virtually; while the nature of gathering had changed, the quality of care remained.
In celebration of National Volunteer Week (April 24-30), meet some of our current 79 volunteers who give of their time, skills and hearts to ensure that no one has to grieve alone.
After retiring from a 40-year nursing career, Edie Brown moved to Duncan with her husband in 2020 and took the Deep Listening Training as a new volunteer with Cowichan Hospice the following year. She brings over 30 years of volunteerism as she provides one-to-one grief support and co-facilitates grief groups.
“We live in extraordinary times,” Brown says. “I want to fully meet the moment, right here, right now. It is a joy to be part of the community and serve in this way. I have taken vows to bear witness and not turn away.”
Heather Robb has served as a hospice volunteer for nearly three years, providing palliative support to patients and their families at Cowichan Hospice House and around the community. She was drawn to this volunteerism after her husband received hospice support. “After my husband died, I asked myself, what now?” she recalls.
“My focus was on community and building new relationships. Hospice has been the perfect fit for me. I’m passionate about the service they provide to the community and the difference they make in people’s lives.
“One of the greatest gifts I have received from my volunteer work is what the clients have taught me about myself, about being present, about death, fear, laughter, trust and, mostly, about dignity.”
For a small window into the impact made by Cowichan Hospice volunteers, consider the words of these community members who have received compassionate care:
“You have the most calming voice ever. You have given me hope, confidence and courage. Thank you so much.”
“You helped me to process. It really took the pressure off. You cleared some things up and were able to give me some perspective. I was second guessing myself; you took that away.”
“You played a precious piece in our puzzle. It took the pressure off of the family. I can’t thank you enough for getting the ball rolling.”
“My husband had a good death. A good death is what we all want. I don’t know how I would have been without hospice. I could fall apart, and be put back together again.”
For more information about becoming a volunteer with Cowichan Hospice and providing support to community members, please call 250-701-4242 or visit www.cowichanhospice.org.
Cowichan Hospice is a registered charity that has been providing compassionate support to the Cowichan community for 40 years, thanks to the generous support of the community.