Initiative for Palliative Care Volunteer Support Services
Palliative care is a type of care that aims to improve the quality of life of people with life-limiting illnesses and their families. It involves addressing physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs, as well as providing support for bereavement. Palliative care can be provided in various settings, such as hospitals, hospices, care homes or at home.
One of the key aspects of palliative care is the involvement of volunteers, who can offer a range of support to patients and their carers. Volunteers can provide practical assistance, such as running errands, preparing meals or doing household chores. They can also offer emotional support, such as listening, talking, reading or simply being there. Volunteers can help patients and carers feel less isolated, more connected and more valued.
However, not all areas have access to palliative care volunteer services, and not all volunteers receive adequate training and support. This is why a new initiative has been launched to enhance the role of volunteers in palliative care across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The initiative is a collaboration between Helpforce, a charity that promotes the use of volunteers in the NHS, and Marie Curie, a terminal illness charity that provides palliative care services.
The initiative aims to establish seven innovative projects that will embed palliative care volunteers in hospitals and in the community. The projects will train volunteers to support terminally ill people and their families in various ways, such as providing companionship, alleviating social isolation, ensuring fewer patients die alone, bringing comfort and relieving the stress and guilt that staff sometimes feel. The projects will also evaluate the impact of volunteers on patient outcomes, carer satisfaction and staff wellbeing.
The initiative is funded by The National Lottery Community Fund, The Peter Sowerby Foundation, the Welsh Government and Marie Curie. It is expected to run for three years and benefit thousands of patients and carers across the UK. The initiative hopes to demonstrate the value of volunteers in palliative care and inspire more people to get involved in this rewarding and meaningful role.
If you are interested in becoming a palliative care volunteer or want to find out more about the initiative, you can contact the Volunteer Support Services Program or visit the websites of Helpforce or Marie Curie.
References:
– Palliative care volunteer support services initiative. NSW Health. https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/palliativecare/Pages/palliative-care-volunteer-support-services.aspx
– Urgent need for end of life care volunteers to play a critical role in our NHS say Helpforce and Marie Curie. Marie Curie. https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/media/press-releases/urgent-need-for-end-of-life-care-volunteers-to-play-a-critical-role-in-our-nhs-say-helpforce-and-marie-curie/266850
– To be a trained and supported volunteer in palliative care – a phenomenological study. BMC Palliative Care. https://bmcpalliatcare.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12904-017-0193-0
