Wheller Gardens Aged Care Community (Parkview) - Palliative Support Volunteer, Chermside
Wesley Mission QueenslandWhat is the role of a Palliative Support Volunteer?
It’s about ‘presence’. Palliative Support Volunteers offer compassionate support to those living with a terminal illness at one of the most significant times of their lives.
This role is not for everyone, death and dying, end of life and palliative care can be difficult and sometimes confronting subjects for people to discuss.
Those wishing to become volunteers will usually have had some life experience that have touched them and made them more aware of the circumstances that face those living with a terminal illness. The desire to help others, learn more about grief and loss, and come to terms with their own mortality, are all legitimate and worthwhile reasons to volunteer for palliative care service. Volunteering in palliative care offers the intellectual and emotional stimulation of having to deal with ‘the big questions’, such as the meaning of life and death, and gives an opportunity to reflect on one’s own values and priorities.
Essential attributes for this role include sensitivity, empathy, life experience, warmth and good communication skills. Volunteers also need to be patient, flexible, non-judgemental, understanding and accepting of other people’s beliefs and values.
Volunteering hours for this role are flexible and all volunteers undertake a comprehensive initial training program to provide them with the knowledge, confidence and compassion to care for the dying.