Welcome

 Patient/family Support
Your visit can make someone’s day! Our volunteers bring companionship to our patients and their loved ones. You can visit and read with patients, run errands, write letters, listen to music, play cards or games, take walks, assist the patient and family with projects, provide transportation to appointments, and give the caregiver time to get away for short periods. You can make a profound difference in a family’s life as a compassionate and calm presence who understands what they’re going through.

Bereavement Support
You can work closely with Hospice Austin’s bereavement staff in duties that range from assisting as a support group facilitator to being an understanding listener for family members whose loved ones have died. Bereavement support volunteers receive extensive training beyond the training of patient companion volunteers.

Office Support
We also welcome help in our administrative offices. Various duties may include data entry, record keeping, filing and telephone duties. Fundraising responsibilities can range from preparing mailings or thank you letters to organizing fundraising events and contacting possible donors. 

 Special Skills and Services
We are always on the lookout for volunteers with specific skills to help our patients and their families. These include licensed massage and acupuncture professionals, licensed hair cutters, pet therapy volunteers, and musicians. Spanish-speaking volunteers are also in high demand. 

Pets pay little attention to age or physical ability; they accept people as they are, making them a valuable companion and friend. Visiting with animals is a welcome change from the patient’s daily routine and can help alleviate the feelings of loneliness, depression, and stress. In addition, pet interaction is a heart-warming time to look forward to and provides a great distraction from pain and infirmity.

There are numerous benefits to the Hospice Hounds program with lasting effects. Patients often “speak” to the pets, sharing thoughts, feelings, and memories they may not share with human companions. Petting and stroking the animal makes use of hands and arms, an easy way to encourage a patient’s movement, like stretching and turning. Time with the animals can inspire happy thoughts of both the present and the past.​

The Hospice Hounds team may visit the patient in their private home, long-term care, or assisted living facility, or where the patient calls home.

Visits may be arranged by request through the patient’s nurse, social worker or with a direct call to Hospice of Midland’s Volunteer Coordinator (432) 686-6101.

 No one understands the questions and concerns of a U.S. military veteran more than a fellow veteran or active duty personnel. That’s why we have developed the We Honor Veterans program, in which volunteers with similar backgrounds can meet with and assist in the care of U.S. military veteran patients.

Why are veteran volunteers important to us?

• Veterans share a common language, code of conduct and honor which may allow for a better match between patients and volunteers. 
• The culture of stoicism and societal reactions can discourage veterans from sharing their war experiences with non-veterans. When one veteran talks to another, sharing stories supports life-review and healing and secrecy may dissolve.

 Midland College is grateful to partner with Midland Shared Spaces, a service provided by the Warren Foundation. Midland Shared Spaces will allow students to match interests with volunteer opportunities. In addition, all completed hours will be tracked through the system.

Legacy volunteer hours must be completed through the Midland Share Spaces website (MSS Connections). Students will create an account and sign up for volunteer opportunities posted on the site. In addition, a transcript/resume from your account must be submitted. Hours worked outside of the listed needs (even at an approved agency) will not be accepted.