Volunteer at Baystate Pediatric Palliative Care Program

To become a volunteer, please download and complete our volunteer application form.

To inquire about pediatric palliative volunteer opportunities, please contact:

Laurie Gilbert
Pediatric Palliative Care Volunteer Coordinator
413-798-5159
Laurie.Gilbert@baystatehealth.org

Pediatric Palliative Care volunteers provide support to patients, families, and caregivers in their homes and hospital settings. Additionally, they can provide support to staff in the office, while others offer their assistance within the community, staffing tables at health fairs and helping at picnics, patient gatherings, and other community events.

Volunteers are not allowed to provide personal care to patients; they cannot transport patients in their vehicles; they cannot lift or transfer patients; they cannot feed patients; they cannot provide medication. However, what they can provide is patient and caregivers companionship and support.

The overall time commitment needed to be a volunteer is dependent upon the patient or caregiver needs; however, the Volunteer Coordinator works very closely with each Volunteer to ensure that their assignment is a good fit for their schedule and specific needs.

All Pediatric Palliative Care Volunteers must be interviewed, complete an application with two references, be medically cleared, pass a background check, DCF check as well as pass a Nurse’s Aide Registry check. The applicant will be required to complete a comprehensive training program, and only then can they begin their volunteer service.

Types of Volunteer Opportunities Available

Companion Volunteers

Companion volunteers provide patient and caregiver companionship—playing cards, reminiscing, sharing a hobby, reading a book, poem or prayer, or watching a movie. They are also available to be a quiet and reassuring presence, as needed. Bilingual volunteers are always needed, as well!

Respite Volunteers

Pediatric Palliative volunteers support patients and their siblings by providing interactive play, reading, singing, arts and crafts, music, or a being a quiet presence at bedside to provide the caregiver with respite. Respite volunteers visit with a patient/sibling to provide respite to caregivers, allowing the caregiver to do a chore, read a book, or have peace of mind that a volunteer is sitting with their child. The parent/guardian must remain in the home with pediatric patients.

Complementary Therapy Volunteers

Complementary therapy volunteers are certified/trained in Reiki, Healing Touch, Energy Work, and Massage Therapy.

Licensed Hairdresser or Barber Volunteers

Licensed hairdresser volunteers provide haircuts for patients who can no longer get to their own hairdresser/barber.

Pet Therapy Volunteers

Pet therapy has been shown to reduce anxiety, decrease blood pressure and heart rate, and increase relaxation, socialization, and motivation.

Office Volunteers

Office volunteers provide support to staff by performing general office duties—mailings, phone calls, data entry, and a variety of other special projects.

Legal Volunteers

Attorneys provide services to assist patients and caregivers&emdash;examples include assistance with obtaining Power of Attorney or guardianship for loved ones.

Educational Advocates

Education advocates help families navigate the special resources available to pediatric patients in a home school or in a school setting.

Landscapers

Trained individuals who can provide lawn care, spring clean ups or simple pulling of weeds to our families.

Hanydman

Trained volunteers who would be interested in helping with simple household tasks.

Special Events Volunteers

Help to staff tables at health fairs and help at picnics, patient gatherings, and other community events.

Homework Helper Volunteers

Help children with schoolwork and projects.

Dec My Room Volunteers

Dec My Room is a unique charitable organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of children and young adults who are admitted for 3 or more consecutive weeks. Dec My Room will decorate their hospital room with items that complement the patient's likes and interests. Additional training required.