Hospice Service
We are now taking client referrals for the Highlands Community Hospice Service (HCHS).
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The HCHS is a palliative care program offering compassionate care and practical volunteer support to individuals with life-limiting illnesses and conditions, and their caring community.
Our trained volunteers offer flexible, person-centred care that respects individual needs.
This free service is based in the New England region of NSW, including Armidale, Uralla, Walcha, and Guyra and surrounding areas.
What do our volunteers do?
A hospice service volunteer provides support in the client’s residence and is offered at any stage of the journey.
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While ‘companionship and connection’ is the primary focus, volunteers may also assist with a variety of practical tasks such as with home help and gardening, appointments, respite care, legacy projects, and grief and loss support.
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Our hospice team is made up of caring, dedicated and trained local volunteers.
Companionship and connection
Home help and gardening
Appointments and errands
Respite care
Legacy projects and biography writing
Bereavement support
Compassionate care in your own home
Referrals
​We accept referrals from anyone – including service providers such as GPs, hospitals, palliative care teams, and home care support providers. Community members are also welcome to self-refer – a professional referral is not required.
Once a referral is received, a member of our Volunteer Coordination team will get in touch to have a conversation about your care needs. We'll talk you through what the HCHS program offers, help you understand how we can support you, and answer any questions you may have.
If you or someone you know could benefit from our service, please contact us.
The Creative Legacy Initiative
The Creative Legacy Initiative (CLI) supports the dying and their people to create meaningful legacies as a medium for personal expression, connection, healing, and remembrance.
This initiative will train HCHS volunteers to assist individuals with a life-limiting illness and their caring community, to create a wide range of legacy projects ranging from written documents such as life stories, letters, and children’s books, to digital and other creative artifacts using arts, crafts, audio/visual, and other creative mediums. Workshops and events will also be open to the community. Our first event - Life Stories Writing Workshop is on 11-12 October 2025.
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​Life stories writing is a key element of the CLI. These types of ‘palliative biography’ programs have shown the power of art and conversation to connect people in palliative care to themselves, their stories, their families and loved ones. Usually not as extensive as a memoir or biography, life stories document an individual’s journey, experiences, and personal reflections. This can be shared with loved ones as a way to preserve memories.
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​Creating a project at the end-of-life can offer individuals an opportunity to reflect on their lives, connect with loved ones, and leave something lasting for their people – for those left behind as well as for future generations to come. This may assist with self-awareness and a better preparedness for death, facilitating increased acceptance and sense of closure.
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This initiative will launch in November 2025.
Have questions or want to make a referral? Please get in touch with us.
