Palliative Care support may be offered in the patient’s homes, or in hospital. The volunteer programme is part of a multi-disciplinary team that includes health professionals such as doctors, nurses, bereavement counsellors, occupational therapist and social workers.

ROLE: Volunteers provide supportive care by helping in a variety of ways that may include:

• Maintaining the Massage therapy equipment and ensuring it is cleaned between clients.

• Offer massage to primarily patients but if time permits carers

• Offering and suggesting suitable massages for patients in their rooms

• Providing companionship to the patient or their primary carer through massage.

VOLUNTEERS DO NOT:

• provide nursing care

• provide intimate personal care

• lift the client, although they may assist others to move the client

• cook meals, although reheating and presenting meals, and preparing drinks is acceptable

• give advice to clients about their illness, medications or other medical matters

ADMINISTRATION: Volunteers are expected to:

• Maintain regular contact with the co-ordinator

• Keep accurate records of visits to clients

EDUCATION & SUPPORT: Volunteers are expected to:

• Attend ongoing education and support meetings with their peers and the co-ordinator

• Seek additional support from the co-ordinator if required

• Continue their own self-led personal development

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: Volunteers are chosen for their:

• Qualifications and experience as a Massage Therapist

• Empathy and understanding

• Emotional maturity

• Acceptance of other people’s philosophies, beliefs and values

• Ability to respect confidentiality

• Willingness to commit to approximately 4 hours volunteer work each week

• High level of communication skills

Benefits: Making a difference to the lives of palliative care patients.