Volunteer

Volunteer with us

Our ability to serve the Mansfield Community relies heavily on the dedication of our generous volunteers. They are ordinary individuals who make an extraordinary difference. Rosehaven offers numerous opportunities for community members to volunteer and engage with others.

Guest Care Volunteers

As individuals with life-limiting illnesses experience a shrinking social circle, and caregivers often face exhaustion or hesitation in leaving their loved ones for personal errands or self-care, the role of a Guest Care Volunteer becomes essential. They are crucial in providing companionship and social engagement, enhancing the quality of life for both patients and their families.

Our Guest Care Volunteers offer invaluable support by visiting clients either in their homes or at Rosehaven Hospice to provide companionship and help alleviate some of the pressures faced by caregivers. The visits can range from once a week for an hour to up to three hours a week, depending on the needs and preferences of the client.

Companionship

Engaging clients in meaningful conversations and activities, offering emotional support, and helping reduce feelings of isolation.

Social Engagement

Facilitating outings, accompanying clients to appointments, and providing support with shopping or other errands as needed.

Please note that our volunteers do not perform personal care tasks (such as toileting, showering or administering medication) or handle yard work or household chores. Guest Care Volunteers receive in-house training upon commencement and throughout the year. They also participate in regular peer support meetings.

Palliative Care Volunteers

Palliative care is about enhancing quality of life for those with serious, life-limiting conditions. It focuses on relief from symptoms, pain and stress, regardless of the stage of the illness or the need for other curative treatments. Our Palliative Care Volunteers play a crucial role in this holistic approach, offering emotional, social and practical support.

Companionship: Providing a listening ear and emotional support, helping patients feel valued and connected.
Practical Assistance: Assisting with day-to-day tasks, such as light housekeeping or running errands, to ease the burden on families.
Respite Care: Offering temporary relief to caregivers, giving them time to rest and recharge.
Activities and Engagement: Engaging patients in hobbies, reading or other activities that bring joy and comfort.

Palliative Care Volunteers receive in-house training, approved by Palliative Care Victoria, and participate in regular peer support meetings.

Gardens & Maintenance Volunteers

We cherish the healing power of nature and the joy of a well-maintained environment. Our gardens and outdoor spaces are vital in providing comfort and solace to those we serve. Our dedicated volunteers help us maintain and beautify these areas, ensuring they remain welcoming and therapeutic for our patients, families, and staff.

Our gardens and outdoor spaces are more than just landscapes; they are places of tranquility and respite. Volunteers play a crucial role in keeping these areas vibrant and well-kept. Their efforts not only enhance the visual appeal of our spaces but also contribute to the overall well-being of our community.

Gardening: Planting, weeding, pruning, and general upkeep of garden beds and green spaces.
Landscaping: Assisting with design and maintenance of outdoor areas, including lawns, pathways and decorative features.
Seasonal Tasks: Preparing gardens for different seasons, such as planting spring flowers or winterizing plants.
General Maintenance: Addressing minor repairs and upkeep of outdoor furniture, pathways and other facilities.

Services Support Volunteers

Our non-client facing volunteers play a pivotal role in helping us reach our goals through marketing, fundraising and event planning. Their contributions ensure that we can continue to provide outstanding service and support to those in need.

Non-client facing volunteers assist with various critical functions that help drive our organisation forward. By offering your skills and expertise in these areas, you’ll be instrumental in amplifying our message, raising necessary funds and organising impactful events.

Marketing: Developing and implementing strategies to promote our services and raise awareness through social media, newsletters and other channels.
Fundraising: Planning and executing fundraising campaigns, grant writing, and donor outreach to support our programs and initiatives.
Event Planning: Coordinating events such as fundraisers, community outreach activities and special gatherings to engage the community and support our mission.
Administrative Support: Assisting with various administrative tasks, including data entry, correspondence and project management.

Rosehaven Shop Volunteers

Our Shop Volunteers are integral to our mission of supporting the community through our retail operations. Through their dedication and hard work, the shop is able to provide quality items such as clothing, accessories, crockery and more to directly supporting those in need.
Volunteers work in various capacities including assistingcustomers, styling the store, sorting and pricing merchandise.

Volunteers typically work:

Six-hour Shifts: Monday to Friday.
Four-hour Shifts: Saturday and Sunday.

Roles include:

Retail Assistance: Engaging with customers and helping to ensure a positive shopping experience.
Sorting and Pricing: Organising and tagging items to maintain an orderly and attractive store.
Store Styling: helping with seasonal change overs and general cleaning of the store.

Our Shop volunteers are a close-knit team who enjoy their work and directly giving back to the community. They are supported by a dedicated Shop Manager.

Whether it’s working behind the scenes or providing personal care and companionship or assisting with cooking, cleaning and gardening, there’s always a way your skills can positively impact Rosehaven guests and their families. As a volunteer at Rosehaven, you’ll be part of a supportive team with access to ongoing training and assistance as needed.

Become a Volunteer

"As a newbie to Mansfield I was looking to join the community and Rosehaven did call to me. They have so warmly welcomed me. Rosehaven has given me a place and a group of like minded people to share such a worthwhile venture. A very happy place for me to be."

"I came to Rosehaven for my own respite and the experience evolved into volunteering. [It gives me] a sense of belonging."

“I just love helping people. It’s in my blood and Rosehaven epitomises what volunteering is all about.”

It’s not for money, it’s not for fame,

It’s not for any personal gain,

It’s just for love of fellow man,

It’s just to give a helping hand.

It’s your reward in your heart,

It’s a feeling that you’ve been a part,

Of helping others far and near,

That makes you want to Volunteer.

Volunteering with us is a rewarding way to make a meaningful difference in someone’s life. Here’s how you can get involved:

Application & Interview: Fill out our online application form or contact us directly to express your interest.
Onboarding & Training: If we agree there is a ‘fit’, you will participate in our comprehensive training program, which covers the essentials of care giving, communication skills, and self-care.
Matching: We will match you with guests and families based on your interests and availability.
Ongoing Support: Enjoy continuous support from our team, including regular check-ins and additional training opportunities.

Who Can Volunteer?

We welcome individuals from all walks of life who are compassionate, empathetic, and dedicated to making a positive impact. Whether you have prior experience in healthcare or are new to hospice and palliative care, our training program will prepare you to provide the best support possible.

Minimum Requirements for volunteers include:

You need to be over 18 years of age.
All volunteers are required to have a police check every 3 years.
We will require 2 people to be character references as a part of our onboarding process.
You will be required to have an interview with your relevant manager and will have a period of time for orientation / probation.

Other information that maybe required:

Drivers Licence.
Working with Children Check.
Fully comprehensive vehicle insurance.
First aid certificate.
Vaccine status – to be a part of the community support team, grief and bereavement and palliative care volunteers you will be required to be Covid – 19 vaccinated.
If you would like to volunteer as a palliative care volunteer there will be 2 days of palliative care training scheduled within the first 6 months of commencing with Rosehaven.

Benefits of Volunteering

Volunteering offers numerous personal rewards:

Fulfillment: Experience the profound satisfaction of making a difference in someone’s life.
Skills Development: Gain valuable skills in communication, empathy, and patient care.
Community Connection: Become part of a supportive community of like-minded individuals.

Get Involved

If you’re ready to join us in providing compassionate care and support, we’d love to hear from you. For more information on how to become a volunteer or to ask any questions, please contact us or fill out our volunteer application form.