Every Wednesday morning, the smell of fresh baking fills Providence Care Hospice, AB Smith Homestead House, courtesy of Volunteer Paul Nesbitt-Larking. 

On this week’s menu, Paul is whipping up raspberry yogurt muffins and white chocolate macadamia nut cookies. 

“I have a love of producing food, especially food that comforts people,” explains Paul. “There’s nothing like a little bit of home comfort to help families and patients feel that they’re loved and supported.” 

Paul makes the muffins and cookies in the family-style kitchen and then, while still warm, hand delivers them to patients and care partners across the 10 private suites. 

“Delivering the baking opens up channels of further communication with patients and families,” he adds. “There’s really nothing like a warm muffin or warm cookie to say, here’s a little piece of home, someone is thinking of you.” 

Paul has been volunteering with Providence Care Hospice for the past six years. Before AB Smith Homestead House, Kingston’s first hospice residence, opened in March 2025, Paul provided home visits in the community with patients and care partners. 

“Volunteering in hospice means bringing a calm presence and finding ways to connect that aren’t always talking. Being comfortable with silence is a big part of it.” 

Paul is one of 504 active volunteers who give their time to Providence Care.  

Volunteers work across all sites: Providence Care Hospital, Providence Transitional Care Centre, Providence Manor long-term care home, Providence Care Hospice, AB Smith Homestead House and in the community. 

“This year our volunteers contributed almost 37,000 hours to the organization,” says Director of Volunteer Services Stacy Jowett.  

“They can take their time, sit with someone, listen, and really be present. Those moments of care make a real difference.” 

Volunteering takes on different forms across Providence Care. Volunteers support therapeutic and spiritual care programs, welcome patients and families, lead art and social activities, run gift shops, and help raise funds across the organization. They also provide connection through friendly visiting and pet therapy visits.   

“We are incredibly grateful for our volunteers,” add Stacy. “Their kindness, creativity, and willingness to show up for others is what allows us to create such a caring and supportive environment across all our sites.” 

Each volunteer has their own reason for donating their time. For many, like Paul, it is a way to give back and honour the care they or a loved one once received. 

“I visited a hospice in London [Ontario] when a friend of mine was dying and there I saw the need for volunteers. It was after that, as almost a legacy to him, that I started to volunteer. He is always on my mind.”  

This Volunteer Appreciation Week, Providence Care celebrates the hundreds of volunteers who give their time, care, and compassion to support patients, clients, residents, care partners and staff. Paul’s weekly baking at AB Smith Homestead House is just one example of the many meaningful ways volunteers show up to share comfort, dignity, and moments of joy. Together, their contributions help create an organization where care is deeply human. 

To learn more about becoming a Providence Care volunteer, visit our website to explore available opportunities.