The major part of a patient's last year of life is spent at home where care is mostly carried out by families. A growing elderly population means a patient's needs in the home are likely to increase rather than decrease, creating extra pressures for carers. Schemes to help people save and insure for long-term care do not help those who need assistance now or who cannot afford to pay into such schemes. This practical study outlines those services which organise volunteers to visit terminally ill patients and their carers at home. It looks at the work they undertake and the support they provide. At a time when volunteers are working hard to meet the needs of patients, this report helps to clarify the boundaries between volunteer work and services provided by statutory agencies.