Become an ACP Volunteer

Join the growing movement of ACP in our community by becoming an ACP Volunteer!

Volunteers are at the heart of what we do—they are the ones who truly bring Advance Care Planning to life in our community. For many people, talking about death and dying is unfamiliar, uncomfortable, and even frightening. That’s why our volunteers are so essential: they represent the community we serve, and they help turn fear into understanding. Our volunteers are parents, adult children, professionals, caregivers, retirees—they bring their own lived experiences, families, and stories to the table. They meet people where they are, as peers—not experts—which makes the process feel safe, personal, and deeply human.

Whether guiding someone through their very first conversation about end-of-life care, helping complete the Advance Directive form, or coordinating a free notary service to finalize the document, volunteers walk with participants every step of the way. These peer-led conversations are often life-changing—for both the participant and the volunteer.

If you are compassionate, driven, and want to help our community “Get It Done” in Santa Barbara, peruse the rest of this page for more information on our volunteer opportunities, what we look for in our volunteer cohort, and when you can attend our next training! We look forward to working with you to ensure our community’s wishes for end of life are respected.

Sincerely,

Get It Done SB! Program Staff

Our Volunteer Opportunities

  • Community Workshops

    Lead in-depth presentations on Advance Care Planning and help attendees complete their Advance Directive. These workshops take place at senior living facilities, local organizations, clinics, and more.

  • One-on-One Appointments

    Provide guidance to individuals completing an Advance Directive through private one-on-one appointments at our offices or out in the community.

  • Tabling and Outreach Events

    Serve as an ambassador of our programs and educate the public about the free Advance Care Planning services we provide throughout community lead events with partners such as Foodbank, Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara, Senior Expo, and more.

Learn more about our programs here!

“For me, being a volunteer has been a beautiful job; we have the power to give emotional peace and tranquility through Advance Directives to so many people in our community. I believe that this is the best project there can be because it is not just about death, it is about the gift of life, your life and the life of your family.”

— Amalia, ACP Volunteer

Volunteer Impact

Join Our Next ACP Facilitator Training in July 2025!

To begin the volunteer application process, please complete the application here and email it to our ACP Department at CommunityACP@hospiceofsb.org.

After submission, a staff member will contact you about next steps and specific dates of the training.

What We Look For in Our Advance Care Planning Volunteers

We are seeking compassionate, dedicated individuals committed to helping community members complete their Advance Directives.

    • Dedication to giving back to the community and volunteering

    • Medical knowledge or experience

    • Comfortability with public speaking and discussing topics of death and dying

    • Personal experience with end-of-life planning

    • Compassion and empathy for community members making important decisions about end-of-life healthcare

    • Participation in 12-hour facilitator training

    • Availability during the week for volunteering at events

    • Reliable transportation

    • Access to email and phone communication

    • Commitment to confidentiality

    • Experience with visual presentations a plus