The role of volunteers

Volunteers play an integral role in the provision of hospice services. They help in many different ways, supporting and assisting staff by taking responsibility for a series of roles in the following areas:

Reception
Reception is often the first point of contact for visitors and therefore the manner in which they are greeted is most important. General reception duties and answering queries are the main tasks in this role both in the hospice’s main reception and in the fundraising department.

In-patient Unit
Assisting staff and befriending patients and relatives by undertaking a series of duties, such as drinks rounds and assisting with meals.

Day Hospice Unit
Volunteers are involved in a range of support roles, including befriending patients, contributing particular skills such as hairdressing and complimentary therapies, helping with lunches and assisting the Sister in Charge with the general day-to-day management of the unit. The Red Cross Therapeutic Care Service is also available. To find out more about the Red Cross Care Service please click here.

Drivers
Volunteer drivers ensure that patients are safely collected from their homes and brought to the Day Hospice Unit. At the end of the day they return to bring the patients home, ensuring each patient is escorted safely into their house.
Drivers also help with the laboratory run to Daisy Hill Hospital as well as the postal run. A petrol allowance is available.

Fundraising

Southern Area Hospice Services must raise £1.89million in 2008 through voluntary contributions. You can help the fundraising team by:

• Carrying out administrative and clerical work
• Helping with mailings
• Distributing leaflets
• Helping at Street Collections
• Manning stalls at Charity Shows and Carnivals
• Gathering items for stalls, donating crafts, making cakes etc. for sale
• Being part of one of our local Support Groups
• Picking up and replacing Collection boxes and stock
• Collecting Lottery subscriptions
• Helping with Fundraising events.

Shops

Southern Area Hospice Services has three shops in Newry, Banbridge and Dungannon. The Shops are run by volunteer staff, under the direction of a manager. Duties include:

• Serving behind the counter
• Sorting and pricing clothes
• Maintaining stock control and aiding stock rotation
• Helping create window displays
• Promoting upcoming events

Who can be a volunteer?
Anyone over the age of 16, who has time to spare, can volunteer to help S.A.H.S. Working hours are flexible to suit other commitments, which you may have. Training will be necessary for certain volunteer roles, whilst others can be learnt on the job. References will be required for all volunteer roles.

What do I get out of volunteering?
Volunteering to help such a worthy cause makes a huge difference to the lives of our patients, their families and carers. As a volunteer you will be given the opportunity to learn new skills, make new friends and feel part of a team.

Benefits from volunteering include:

• Learning new skills

• Make new friends

• Lots of fun

• Helping others at SAHS

• Feel Valued

Opportunity to pass on your skills to others in:

• Fashion retailing

• Arts and Craft

• Bric-a-brac and antiques

• Administration

• Training and development

• Window display

• Listening

Hospice Volunteers gain valuable interpersonal skills and experience. Some of the volunteers reflect on their experience in the following statements:

"I enjoy the time I spend volunteering. To me it is the best stress relief I know. It brings me back to reality and plants my feet firmly on the ground".

"It is a challenge. Every day is different and I have the satisfaction of knowing that I am part of something important".

"There is such a high level of satisfaction through volunteering for the Hospice as you know that someone is getting the benefit from our time and volunteering service".

Making a difference
Your voluntary support will help us provide the following vital services for people with cancer and other terminal illnesses:

• In-patient Unit
• Medical Home Visits
• Out-patient Clinics
• Day Hospice Unit
• Physiotherapy
• Bereavement Care
• Patient Helpline

These services are provided without charge for patients, their families and carers living throughout the Southern Health Board Area.

For further information and an Application form Download PDF Leaflet “Your Hospice, Voluntary Support Services”, or phone Rosemary Gartland, Voluntary Co-ordinator at (028) 3026 7711.

..............................................................................................................................