(L) Isobel Boyle, vice chair of the Hospice Hub board, with Lesley Renwick (R), the Fundraising & Stewardship Assistant.
The Hospice Hub in Perth provides end-of-life, grief, and bereavement support to individuals and families across the community, relying heavily on trained volunteers to deliver many of its services.
Isobel Boyle, vice chair of The Hospice Hub board of directors and a longtime volunteer, says volunteers play a central role in the organization’s ability to operate and connect with clients in meaningful ways. Boyle herself has contributed countless hours supporting programs, coordinating volunteers, and helping the organization grow within the community.
Volunteers support several programs, including home support, grief and bereavement services, and The Hospice Hub’s day hospice program, which opened last fall. Client-facing volunteers complete a six-week training program before being matched with clients, ensuring care is delivered in a safe, supportive, and structured way.
Boyle notes that The Hospice Hub currently does not receive government funding, meaning its programs depend entirely on fundraising efforts and volunteer involvement.
She explains that volunteers provide companionship rather than medical care, offering presence, conversation, and emotional support to people at the end of life, as well as to their families and caregivers. This approach also provides respite for caregivers, giving them time to rest or attend to daily responsibilities.
The Hospice Hub also offers grief and bereavement programming, including one-on-one companioning and facilitated group sessions. Boyle says these programs help individuals understand they are not alone as they navigate loss.
Boyle adds that the organization also works to encourage open conversations around death and advanced care planning, helping reduce fear and uncertainty by addressing topics that are often avoided.
As a volunteer and community leader, Boyle exemplifies the dedication and compassion that make the Hospice Hub’s work possible, showing how individuals can make a meaningful difference in the lives of people at the end of life.
The Hospice Hub also invites community members to participate in its upcoming WAVES for Hospice fundraiser, a friendly, community-focused event supporting end-of-life care in Perth and surrounding areas.
Residents looking to learn more about The Hospice Hub, its programs, or how to get involved can visit the organization’s website or call 613-627-0974.