Written by Beryl Mallinson, Cowichan Hospice Volunteer
For over 25 years, I worked as an educator, counsellor and psychologist. In all of this, I really learned to listen. When I started volunteering with Hospice in 2012, I worked with grief and palliative clients in the community, and now I support patients and their families in Hospice House.
My role as a hospice volunteer is to be present, centered, calm and open to what someone is saying and what they desire. Some people want me to read them a book. Some want me to joke with them. Some want me to leave them alone and just check in every so often.
My professional background also helps me be aware if a person might benefit from other assistance in the community. I appreciate how Hospice support can be part of an overall network of care.
In my years of Hospice support, I’ve found that a lot of people think what they’re experiencing is wrong, or that it shouldn’t be like that. My work is to listen and to help normalize what they’re feeling. It has been very inspiring to me to see my clients begin to accept where they are and process their reality, understanding it isn’t about finding a quick fix.
I have learned so much working with these wonderful people. I continue to do this work because it’s important to me to be of service somehow. It gives me so much more than what I give.
