Caring Where it Matters - Helping Peple with Life-limiting Illness

Hospice At Home Volunteers (HHV) has provided 20 years of care and support to people and their carers with life-limiting illness. Volunteers visit clients at home, spending time doing a variety of activities depending on the clients’ needs and interests. Volunteers aren’t expected to provide any medical care or do housework; the role is as a supportive ‘friend’, so might include spending time reading aloud, chatting or just being there. The visits provide support to carers too, allowing them time away from what can be a stressful and emotionally demanding role.

HHV are running a volunteer training course next month, so if you are interested in becoming a volunteer now is the perfect time to get in touch. Miriam Prewer, Volunteer Coordinator for Hospice at Home, explains what sorts of people make good visitors, ‘We are looking for people, ordinary men and women, who are able to share some time with clients, can show support, empathy and trust’. The training will enable you to gain new skills in listening, communication, feelings and self expression and will give you the chance to find out how rewarding the role is from existing volunteers and guest speakers.

The two-day course, to be held at The Pasque Hospice, Streatley, will run on 2 consecutive Mondays, 16th and 23rd of October. Miriam says, ‘If you are interested in finding out more, just give us a call - it won’t commit you to anything. We are more than happy to talk through the role in more detail either over the phone or in person at our offices at the Disability Resource Centre.’

For further information on this opportunity please contact Georgina Sorrell, Volunteer Adviser at the Volunteer Centre on 01525 850559 or email volunteer@action-southbeds.org.uk. If you would like to explore other volunteering opportunities that are available in South Bedfordshire please contact Georgina for a Volunteering Directory or to arrange an informal chat.