The Salt Spring Hospice Society is a volunteer-led, non-profit society providing compassionate support to individuals and families facing life-limiting illness and death in our community.
Trained hospice volunteers support community members through all stages of end of life, grief and loss. Services include home and hospital visits, day and night vigils, grief support, advanced care planning workshops and community education.
To learn more about volunteering with Salt Spring Hospice Society, see the group’s piece in the just-published Young at Heart 2026 Driftwood supplement, visit the saltspringhospice.org website, contact the organization at office@saltspringhospice.org or phone the office at 250-537-2770.
Mahāvīr Raven Hume has volunteered with the Salt Spring Hospice Society since 2015, and shares some of his experience with Driftwood readers in the Q&A below.
Q. What attracted you to this particular group?
A. Several of my spiritual influences — Ram Dass in particular — have spoken about the importance of hospice work. When I attended an open house with the society, I was struck by the message of compassion and the practical, common-sense approach to supporting people through grief and the end of life.
Q. What is your Salt Spring Hospice role?
A. Like most hospice volunteers, I’m available to support several areas of the society’s work. I have a particular affinity for sitting vigil with people in their final days and for offering one-on-one grief support to those experiencing a recent loss.
Q. What past experience has helped you in your role?
A. Practices like yoga and meditation have helped me develop the ability to stay present with whatever arises — whether that’s difficult emotions, uncertainty or grief. That ability to simply be present can be very supportive for someone who is dying or for those who are grieving.
Q. What do you like best about volunteering with the society?
A. I appreciate that it offers a very direct way to be of service to others during one of life’s most profound transitions.
Q. What is something that surprised you or that you didn’t expect?
A. I was surprised by how peaceful many dying experiences are. Before volunteering, I imagined it might often be more dramatic or chaotic. In reality, many of the experiences I’ve witnessed have been quite calm and gentle.
Q. Is there an anecdote or memory that captures the volunteer experience for you?
A. I once sat with a woman during the final days of her life at Lady Minto Hospital during a couple of overnight vigils. When I first arrived, she was quite anxious and worried about some family relationships. I mostly just sat with her quietly and focused on staying calm and present. Over the course of those visits, she gradually became more relaxed. At the end of my second three-hour shift, as I was getting ready to leave, she said to me, “Thank you for being here. I’m not afraid anymore.” She passed later that morning with her family around her. That moment really stayed with me.
Q. What traits would be helpful for someone considering volunteering?
A. A willingness to be present with the natural processes of life and to support others simply by being there. Patience, emotional steadiness and compassion are all helpful qualities. Ram Dass once described the ideal hospice volunteer as “a loving rock.”
Q. How long have you lived on Salt Spring Island?
A. I’ve lived on Salt Spring for 22 years.
Q. How else might islanders know you?
A. Some people may recognize me from the Salt Spring Centre of Yoga, where I’ve helped support retreats and gatherings over the years.
Q. In a nutshell, why would you recommend volunteering with this group?
A. The Salt Spring Hospice Society has built a culture of care and integrity over many years. It’s a meaningful way to serve the community, and the work tends to attract thoughtful, compassionate people.
Salt Spring non-profit groups wanting to participate in the Stepping Up series should contact Driftwood editor Gail Sjuberg at news@gulfislandsdriftwood.com or 250-537-9933.