Our Volunteers
"Where Quality Care Matters Most"
Services provided by Hospice Volunteers
Volunteers contribute to the holistic support of the client in a variety of ways. We can:
- Provide respite in a client’s home
- Stay overnight with a client to ensure the carer gets some well-deserved sleep.
- Visit clients in hospital or in residential aged care facilities
- Assist with transport to treatment either locally or to Launceston (using the Association vehicle)
We do not provide personal care (but we can assist a client to the toilet) or domestic tasks (but we can make a cuppa and pull the bed covers up).
We are strictly bound by policies, procedures and legislation around client privacy and confidentiality. All Volunteers, Office Staff and Board Members sign a confidentiality declaration at the outset of their time with the Association.
All our clients are at a critical time in their lives and very vulnerable, it is vital that the Association only accepts Volunteers who are suitable and appropriate to the role. Please remember this if you are not successful at becoming a Volunteer with us
In June 2006 Viki Elphinstone was appointed for a 6 month secondment from Palliative Care as Project Officer for the “Scoping Project for Developing a “Hospice without Walls‟ Framework for Inpatient Settings” to research and present the model for implementation of these beds.
It was hoped that once this was completed, the beds would be commissioned and then the same model used to implement similar beds at other regional hospitals along the North West Coast.
This model does not supersede our initial plan for a Hospice facility and the dream is to still eventually see the establishment of such a facility on the North West Coast. But for now the “Hospice without Walls” concept is a great start and will provide much needed relief for families coping with a loved one with a terminal illness.
A new $60 Million Cancer Centre is built and operational for the North West at the Burnie Hospital.
In June 2006 Viki Elphinstone was appointed for a 6 month secondment from Palliative Care as Project Officer for the “Scoping Project for Developing a “Hospice without Walls‟ Framework for Inpatient Settings” to research and present the model for implementation of these beds.
It was hoped that once this was completed, the beds would be commissioned and then the same model used to implement similar beds at other regional hospitals along the North West Coast.
This model does not supersede our initial plan for a Hospice facility and the dream is to still eventually see the establishment of such a facility on the North West Coast. But for now the “Hospice without Walls” concept is a great start and will provide much needed relief for families coping with a loved one with a terminal illness.
A new $60 Million Cancer Centre is built and operational for the North West at the Burnie Hospital.
Hospice Origins
The word “Hospice” is Latin for a ‘’place of rest’’ and was also related to the giving of hospitality. The Hospice movement originated with medieval monks such as St Francis of Assisi, who offered sanctuary and hospitality to pilgrims, the sick and the poor.
The modern movement began in the 1960’s in London when Dame Cicely Saunders founded St Christopher’s Hospice in 1967.
Today, Hospice Palliative Care refers to the active compassionate care of those with a palliative diagnosis. Our Association works closely with the multi-disciplinary team of the Specialist Palliative Care Service (SPCS). This team consists of specialist clinical nurses, 2 Doctors, 2 Palliative Care Specialists, 2 Registrars and 2 part -time Social Workers working as Grief Counsellors. Our Association is a non- profit, non-Government, and community-based organisation funded through the State Government of Tasmania. The SPCS provide medical information and support around pain relief and other symptoms whilst the Hospice Care Association provides Volunteers to ‘be’ with clients, to support the client and carer with compassion and understanding, providing valuable respite. We provide Volunteers to support clients with a life limiting illness and their carers to retain as much control over their lives as possible, in their preferred location.
Screening, Recruitment and Training
Prospective Volunteers are invited to attend a personal interview after which references are checked, via a personal call. Suitable applicants are then invited to undertake the Training / Induction course which runs for 6 full days over 3 weeks. If successful in interview, referee check and the training period, offers to join the Volunteers at Hospice Care will be given. A probation period of up to 6 months will ensue after training/induction is completed.
Part of our screening process does look at recent bereavements and/or losses in your personal life as this can impact your suitability. This does not mean you can never Volunteer; it may just mean that some further time may be required for you to process your own loss before working with others at end of life.
Reach out if you have any questions.
Putting Yourself in the Picture
Ask yourself these questions! Reflect on your responses!
- Do you treat all people with dignity and respect?
- Do you listen to people and communicate appropriately and sensitively?
- Do you value and accept difference?
- Do you accept the values and choices of others?
- Do you pass judgment on other people’s beliefs or lifestyle?
- Do you believe dying is natural?
Volunteering with Hospice Care can at times make you question your own beliefs and values. It can be demanding and emotional and can at times spill over into your personal life. The training / induction process can be intensive and self reflection and self – care are important elements which Volunteers need to be aware of. The skills you will learn, and practise will enhance your effectiveness and comfort levels both as a Volunteer and in your personal life.
What can Volunteers expect from Hospice?
The Hospice Care Association offers support and debriefing as required. During your time as a Volunteer, Office Staff and the Board can be approached for debriefing around concerns and issues you may be going through. We encourage our Volunteers to contact the office before going home to their families. Just as we should not take our personal issues to the workplace, the reverse is also true. As confidentiality is paramount, Volunteers are unable to debrief with family and friends. We are always here to support our Volunteers.
There are opportunities throughout the year for ongoing training and development and at least two social events per year. We acknowledge that our Volunteers work in isolation, so we encourage everyone to attend events offered.
We aim to keep our Volunteers up to date with their client’s situation and changes, but this works both ways, we value and encourage your feedback.
Thank you for taking the time to make an enquiry and to read this document. We hope it has encouraged you to want to Volunteer and donate some of your valuable time to those who really need and appreciate it. Becoming a Hospice Volunteer not only benefits the client and their ‘support team’ but also YOU!
People become Volunteers for many reasons and from all walks and stages of life. Think about why you want to Volunteer and what you think you will get back from it.
As a Volunteer you make a commitment to people who are relying on you being there. Volunteering is not of a lesser importance than paid work – it is extremely important to those we spend time with, and a cancellation for a “better” offer is not what the act of volunteering is all about.
Click headings for more Volunteer information;
Hospice Care Volunteers provide a home based support service. While skilled professional staff care for terminally ill patients, Hospice Volunteers provide support and companionship to both clients and their families by;
• Staying with a client while the carer and family members have time away.
• Being with a client one to one.
• Sitting with clients as requested, either day, evening, night weekends, at home or in care.
• Providing transport for clients to and from appointments.
• Being with dying clients during their last hours.
Volunteers are drawn from all walks of life and need to have some of the following qualities;
• emotional maturity
• motivation
• discretion
• reliability
• flexibility
• punctuality
• warmth/empathy/understanding
• an ability to accept others
• a sense of humour
• be neat/tidy and conscious of personal hygiene
• ability to listen and to value silence
• ability to keep client information private and confidential
ESSENTIAL – The capacity to work as part of a team with people who have a life limiting illness and their families.
DESIRABLE – Current Driver’s Licence and own transport.
TIME COMMITMENT
• Volunteers must be reliable and punctual.
• Volunteers are asked to notify the Manager if they are going to be absent eg. sickness, holidays or family commitments.
• The ability to report appropriate concerns or issues to the Manager.
• Volunteers are asked to make available 2-4 hours per fortnight, as suitable to the individual, for a period of at least 12 months.
Volunteers must be prepared to participate in and complete the initial Volunteer training programme.
You can telephone us on 03 6477 7747, or mobile 0418 127 590.
