VOLUNTEERING

Volunteers have been at the heart of the hospice movement since its inception and that continues today. Volunteers complement the work of paid staff as everyone contributes in their own way to providing comfort and support to patients and their loves ones.

The first step in volunteering would be to attend an orientation meeting, details available from the hospice of your choice. Highlighting their needs, and giving you an idea of where you will be comfortable to fit into the 'hospice family'.

There are many aspects within hospice where volunteers are required:

• Admin (telephone, secretarial),
• Caring (homecare, daycare),
• Social work (welfare, bereavement, spiritual),
• Driving,
• Catering,
• Gardening and flower arrangement,
• Arts and crafts,
• Charity shop assistants and
• Assisting with fundraising events.

There are two types of volunteers - 'Enablers' (these volunteers do not have direct patient contact) and 'Caregivers' (these volunteers do have direct patient contact).

If you qualify as a caregiver you will attend further training in palliative care. If you choose to become an enabler you will attend further training on how to assist in admin, fundraising or the area of your choice.

It is through the services of thousands of committed and dedicated volunteers that perform vital tasks in support of salaried staff and other professional staff to perform most of the core functions of patient care.

Should you be interested in volunteering your services, please contact your nearest hospice for further details.