The Role of a Volunteer

Volunteers are not there to convert people, to take people over but to be good listeners and effective helpers.
This means being able to tolerate their own anxiety and to be able to stand back many times from their own value systems to allow the client / carers to be free, to be self- determining and to respect the fact that the client / carer is free to reject help at any time?
Bates, Bonnie

Volunteers concentrate on the quality of life aspects of care, and bring a focus of normal living to a situation where all else seems to underline a medical crisis.
Oxford Textbook of Palliative Medicine 1998 pg 21

Qualities looked for in a volunteer

Non judgemental
Able to understand and accept the values, beliefs, and the decisions of those when differ from our own values, beliefs and decisions
Non-proselytizing. Free of the need to convert others to one's spiritual, social, psychological or medical opinions.
Positive approach to life
Emotional maturity
Sensitivity and understanding
Tolerance and patience
Tact and discretion
Empathy
Flexibility
Dependability
Listening skills
Ability to work within a team
Genuine commitment
Sense of humour