Hospice Service
We are currently 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 life stories 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.
Volunteer Applications Now Open for 2026
The primary role of a hospice service volunteer is to provide direct support to clients living with a life limiting illness or condition, and their caring community. Volunteers provide care that encompasses emotional, psychological, social and practical support to the client and carers. Generally, this care is provided in the client’s residence.
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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, appointments, respite care, legacy projects, and grief and loss support.
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It anticipated that there may be volunteers who may not volunteer as a companion but have specific skill sets and interests such as gardening, pet care or professional support including legal assistance or counselling. While these volunteers would still undergo the full training, they would not be matched 1:1 with a client as a companion, they might volunteer with one client or between multiple clients to provide support in their specialised area.
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Highlands may also have other volunteer roles in the organisation such as help with funding and grant writing, social media, resource development, events management, or be on a sub-committee.
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Click here for Frequently Asked Questions.
​Dates for 2026
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Closing date extended to 31 January 2026: Highlands Community Hospice Service volunteer applications close
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1 – 8 February 2026: applicant interviews / notification of application outcome
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9 February 2026: online training commences
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Feb-March 2026: face-to-face training workshops will be held in Armidale:
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Saturday, 21 February (9am-1pm)
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Sunday, 22 February (9am-1pm)
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Saturday, 28 February (9am-1pm)
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Saturday, 14 March 2026 (9am-1pm)
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Saturday, 21 March (9am-1pm)
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30 March 2026: inductions during the week – individual / small group
Volunteer Training and Development
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The Highlands Community Hospice Service volunteer training will take place again in February-March 2026, in Armidale, NSW at the Aboriginal Cultural Centre & Keeping Place.
The training process includes online learning prior to, and during the volunteer training – approximately 10hrs and volunteer training and approximately 20hr training program based on the NSW Palliative Care Volunteer Training.
Please note that completing the training does not guarantee placement, as we have a limited number of volunteer positions available.
Facilitated over a number of days, the training which will explore topics such as:
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What is Palliative Care?
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The Volunteer Role
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Rights and Responsibilities of a Volunteer
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Volunteer Procedures
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Communication
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Illness, Death and Dying
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Trauma Informed Care
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Self Care
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Grief, Loss, and Bereavement
The training program will include a 2hr induction program for all new volunteers, covering organisational and program policies, procedures and guidelines, and the expectations, rights and responsibilities of the volunteer role.
Volunteers also attend ongoing training: refresher courses and professional development, including speciality training – for example, Dementia care and life stories writing.
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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 was 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 February 2026.
Have questions or want to make a referral? Please get in touch with us.
