Volunteers are an integral part of our services.

Andwell Health Partners volunteer program is widely recognized as one of the most extensive, non-profit home health care volunteer programs in Maine. We are fortunate to have dedicated volunteers, many of whom have been personally touched by what we do, assist in a variety of ways.

Why volunteer

Over the years, we’ve heard many reasons why our volunteers choose to be involved with our organization. By far the most common answer is that after experiencing our services first hand, they want to give back to our organization.

Whether you want to give back, if it’s your nature to help others, or you’re looking to be involved with a great organization – we’re happy to have you join us in enhancing quality of life for the patients we serve.

For more information, please contact Volunteer Resources at Volunteer@Andwell.org or by calling (207) 777-7740 Ext 2980.

 

Volunteers are matched with patients in the area of their training based on location and other special requests from the patient/family such as gender, spoken language, and skills or hobbies. Many times strong bonds are formed.

 

Bereavement volunteers assist those who have experienced the loss of someone close. They might make support calls, meet one-on-one with individuals, or co-facilitate grief support groups. One-on-one visits may take place in a home, coffee shop, or another location where the bereaved is most comfortable meeting. Volunteers listen and help the bereaved to discover resources available to them, including grief support groups. 

Training

Bereavement training is a 12-hour training designed to prepare new volunteers for their role in working with individuals who have experienced a significant loss. Additional training is offered for those interested in co-facilitating Grief Support Groups (prerequisite: Bereavement Training). There is also a 3-hour orientation for new volunteers.

Camp Dragonfly provides support for children and teens (and their caregivers) who have experienced the death of a close family member or friend. As a program volunteer, you may work as part of a team facilitating a support group session or help with special projects.

New volunteers must meet requirements including criminal and DHHS background checks. Volunteers helping to facilitate groups will work with a staff person and must go through the 12-hour bereavement training. Volunteers helping with other non-group activities, set-up and take-down need to complete a 3-hour general training. All volunteers will attend a pre-event meeting with the bereavement coordinator to review roles.

Hospice Volunteers support terminally-ill patients in the home setting, nursing facilities, and at the Hospice House.

Hospice volunteers provide companionship to patients, respite for caregivers, and help with special needs like grocery shopping, medication pick-up, and transportation. Volunteers have also assisted with special end-of-life requests such as going fishing one last time, sending cards/letters to family and friends, putting together scrapbooks, or making a recording about the patient’s life to leave for family.

Training

New volunteers undergo a comprehensive training designed to prepare them for their role in working with patients who are terminally ill and their families. The overall training is 20 hours.

Office volunteers assist in many departments including data entry, filing, preparing training materials, phone calls, mailings, and other tasks needed. Volunteers are placed based on their previous office experience and/or their comfort with computers, phones, filings, etc.

Training
Volunteers attend a 6-hour training to prepare them for their role in the office.

Andwell Health Partners organizes a number of fundraising events throughout the year. The success of these events is dependent upon members of the community volunteering their time on event-planning committees and as day-of volunteers.

Our annual events include the Hike for Hospice, the Butterfly Release and our Autumn Night Out.

Andwell Health Partners is a proud partner in the We Honor Veterans program, and is committed to providing the highest quality care to our nation’s veterans as they embark on life’s final journey.

The Veteran-to-Veteran program aims to pair recruited veteran volunteers with hospice patients who have been identified as veterans. Once paired, veteran volunteers have the unique ability to relate and connect with another veteran, thereby creating an environment where reminiscing about life and healing may occur.

Volunteers visit for companionship and may also cover respite time so a family member can have a much-needed break.

Our Pledge

We recognize that every veteran is different and their unique needs are often influenced by their personal military experience. Understanding how veterans view their military service, whether positive or negative, can affect how they view their disease and end of life. As an organization, we are making it our mission to serve those men and women with the dignity they deserve.

Volunteers are asked to commit to a minimum of 2 hours of visiting each week. Volunteers must be military veterans and have an interest in supporting end-of-life patients who served in the military.

Training

Volunteers receive 20 hours of hospice training.

 

Becoming a volunteer

  • If you are interested in volunteering for a fundraising event, please email our Development Office
  • If you’d like to volunteer for one of our programs, contact volunteer services at (1-800) 482-7412 ext. 1280 or (207) 795-9580 for a brief phone interview. This is an opportunity to learn about each of the programs to see what interests you most.
  • Volunteer services will mail an application to you.
  • References will be contacted; a criminal background check will be performed; and for the Camp Dragonfly/Program, a DHHS (Department of Health and Human Services) check will be initiated.
  • A mandatory TB test will be given at no cost to the volunteer.
  • Volunteers will receive training in confidentiality and will sign a confidentiality form and other forms during training.
  • Volunteers must complete all annual requirements.
  • A minimum commitment of 2-4 hours per week for one year is requested of all volunteers.

For those who are interested in volunteering for hospice, bereavement or Camp Dragonfly, you must wait one year to volunteer after a significant loss or death in your life. In the year you are waiting, you may choose to volunteer as a visiting, grocery, transportation, or office volunteer.

 

Apply to be a volunteer