SASHA St Albert Sturgeon Hospice Association

SASHA's Compassionate Care Volunteer Program provides companionship, support, respite, and resource sharing to clients and their caregivers. Volunteers can visit clients in their homes, in the hospital, a care facility, and hospice. Schedules may vary with clients and their needs, but are typically weekly visits for 2-3 hours.

An interview, reference check, and clear Criminal Record Check are required. Orientation and ongoing training are mandatory to volunteer with this program.

At Foyer Lacombe Hospice, SASHA volunteers spend time with those in hospice and their families, providing emotional support, a compassionate presence, and an empathetic ear. The Certified Harp Therapist provides a unique musical program intended to calm, and engage the healing properties of the harp. 

The Harp Therapy program runs twice a month, and is a private program for residents in hospice and long term care.

Volunteers are needed to help set up the Harp Therapist, engage with the residents before, during and after the program, and assist with bedside playing as needed.

A training/buddy shift is required before continuing with this program. 

Connect Cafes help us to raise awareness and provide education on end-of-life topics, such as Advanced Care Planning, Goals of Care, Caregiving, Role of the Nurse Practitioner, and more.

Volunteers are needed for event set up and take down, attendance, greeting, and group discussion. Connect Cafes run every 2-3 months, year round.

Compassion Bags are a way to let people know we are thinking of them. Items in the bag bring comfort to the client and their caregivers.

Lap quilts from local quilting groups, such as Hugs and Stitches and the St. Albert Quilters Guild are generously donated.

Compassion bags are distributed by Homecare and PCN to their clients in the community who are receiving palliative care.

They are also given to clients in Foyer Lacombe Hospice.

Volunteers are required on an as-needed basis to collect items donated and assist in the bagging process.

SASHA's main fundraiser, Lighting the Way is an annual event held in November to bring light to the residents of Foyer Lacombe through the darkness of winter.

The trees surrounding Foyer Lacombe atop Mission Hill can be enjoyed by the hospice and long term residents of Foyer Lacombe as well as by the community.

The trees are lit up in honour or remembrance of those who have died, those who are ill and their caregivers, as well as to support compassion and palliative care in our communities.

Volunteers are required for a variety of jobs during the yearly Lighting the Way event. 

Sometimes with upcoming events we need volunteers to go into the community and engage with the public. You may have to ask permission of some establishments to display our printed material, and talk about our organization and upcoming program/event. This is on an as needed basis.

We may need assistance in picking up refreshments for an event, picking up items for decorating or donating, and anything else that may come up. This volunteer activity is ongoing and occurs as needed.

Programs at Foyer Lacombe Hospice may change throughout the years, but SASHA's ongoing commitment to Foyer Lacombe does not. A clear Criminal Record Check and training are required for the various hospice and palliative care programs. 

Represent SASHA at scheduled COMPASS for the Caregiver programs. 

Next scheduled sessions running April 25 - May 16, Thursday evenings, from 6-8:30 pm.

Please note you will be required to arrive at least 20 minutes early to help set up, and stay after participants have left to clean up.

A multi-organizational program starting in the summer of 2024, Grief Walks brings nature and grief together in a gentle and connecting program. Please note we would like to have a BLESS volunteer present at each walk, to connect the group to the nature all around. Your role is not heavy with education, but by having nature experts walking parallel to the grief program, this will allow a gentle path for deep connections amongst the participants.

All Grief Walk volunteers must read and agree to the Grief Walks Companion Handout. Contact Heidi to receive a pdf copy via email.