The Heart of Hospice: Celebrating Our Volunteers

At St. Joseph’s Hospice, we often say that hospice is more than a place, it’s a community. Its not a building, it the people.

And at the very heart of that community are our volunteers.

With over 200 individuals generously giving their time, compassion, and energy, volunteers are woven into every part of what we do. In fact, on any given day, there are sometimes just as many volunteers than staff within our hospice walls. Simply put, without them, hospice wouldn’t exist in the way it does today.

They greet families at reception, prepare meals with care, sit quietly at the bedside, play music that brings comfort, and step in wherever they are needed. Over the past year especially, they have continued to show up with resilience, adapting to changing circumstances while never losing sight of what matters most, being there for others.

But what makes our volunteers so special isn’t just what they do, it’s why they do it.

“Hospice is love… all around.”

For Tina, volunteering started as a way to reconnect with the community after moving to London during the pandemic. One evening, a small act, warming up a bowl of chicken noodle soup for a newly admitted resident, turned into something much bigger.

“They were so grateful for such a simple gesture & it made me feel great. Hospice is love… all around.”

Finding meaning in the smallest moments

Many volunteers speak about the quiet, everyday moments that stay with them.

Barbara, who volunteers at reception, recalls conversations with families who were simply grateful their loved one could spend their final days at hospice instead of in a hospital. She also remembers stepping in to help deliver trays and spending a few extra minutes with a gentleman who just wanted to talk.

“I am finding volunteering at Hospice a day I look forward to.”

Patricia finds joy in preparing meals—adding small touches like faces on desserts or carefully checking every tray.

And for others, like Khloe, music becomes a way to connect when words fall short:

“It reminded me that music can offer connection in ways words sometimes can’t.”

A place that changes you

For many, volunteering at hospice becomes something deeper than they ever expected.

Ashlyn shared that hospice wasn’t something she would have chosen on her own but it quickly became her favourite place to volunteer.

“Working at Hospice gives you a picture of the real things that matter in life… the staff seem genuine and not superficial… I just really appreciate it.”

Others echo that same feeling, that hospice has a way of grounding you, reminding you what truly matters.

Cheryl describes it as a place where dying can be peaceful and meaningful, where families are supported, and where kindness makes all the difference.

Giving back, honouring loved ones

For some volunteers, their connection to hospice is deeply personal.

Linda volunteers in memory of her daughter:

“Volunteering at Hospice gives me peace.”

And for Dick, a long-time volunteer, it’s about being present in life’s most vulnerable moments. He shared a story of simply holding a client’s hand near the end of his life:

“He just wanted the simple human touch that we all crave… I was so very glad to be there for him.”

More than volunteers, a family

Again and again, one theme comes through: connection.

Whether it’s the appreciation from families, the camaraderie among volunteers, or the warmth of staff, hospice is a place where people feel they belong.

Janice shared:

“When I arrive, I’m always greeted with a smile… I feel truly appreciated.”

And Alice, who has volunteered for many years, said it best:

“I have never felt more appreciated than I do in this role… I am very proud to be a volunteer at St. Joseph’s Hospice.”

The impact of presence

What our volunteers remind us—every single day—is that you don’t need to do something big to make a difference.

Sometimes, it’s sitting quietly with someone.
Sometimes, it’s listening.
Sometimes, it’s a warm meal, a shared story, or a simple act of kindness.

And sometimes, it’s just being there.

As one volunteer beautifully shared:

“Small acts of kindness… can bring a sense of peace and reassurance. These moments remind me how powerful compassion and human presence can be.”

To each and every one of our volunteers, thank you.

You are the heart of hospice.