Mercy Health Albury is currently looking for warm and understanding volunteer support workers to assist their palliative care team.
Mercy Health Albury Palliative Care is a holistic support service available to individuals and their families who have been diagnosed with a non-curative, life limiting illness.
Mercy Health Albury Palliative Care Supports Coordinator Louisa Thompson said volunteers play an integral part in the care role.
“Palliative care aims to empower the person with information and education that will allow them to decide on the supports that best suit their individual and unique situation,” Mrs Thompson said.
“Volunteers offer friendship, companionship, respite and most importantly their time.”
Palliative care looks after the physical (including treatment of pain and other symptoms), emotional, social, cultural and spiritual needs of the patient and those supporting them through their journey.
Palliative care volunteers are chosen for their warmth and understanding, emotional maturity, acceptance of others and ability to respect confidentiality.
“Our volunteers come from all walks of life, are male and female, young and mature aged, and participate in a variety of paid and unpaid work,” Mrs Thompson explains.
“The volunteers are as unique as the people they are matched to support, making each placement special.”
Mercy Health Albury Palliative Care is now conducting interviews for potential new volunteer support workers to join their team. Successful applicants will participate in a six day training program at the end of March 2018.
Volunteer support workers give up to four hours a week to the person and/or family they are selected to support.
Mercy Health Albury is publicly funded and has been providing a palliative care service since 1984.
For more information, please contact Louisa Thompson on 02 60421458.
Download full media release ( PDF, 203.7K )Last reviewed February 28, 2018.
