End of Life Care Volunteering
This group has been formed to support trusts, health boards and charities where volunteers play an integral part in supporting and enhancing the holistic care that people experience at the end of life. Marie Curie and Helpforce are working together to increase the number of volunteers supporting patients approaching the end of life in hospitals and communities across the UK. The partnership is supporting NHS organisations across the UK to develop their own end of life volunteering services.
The group is for anyone with an interest in End of Life Care volunteering, whether you already manage an End of Life Care service or would like to work with us to adopt a similar model in your own organisation.
This is a public group which means that the resources can be accessed by anyone and the discussion topics are visible. The content of the discussions and member profiles can only be accessed by group members.
Activity Wall
Pre-project stakeholder survey analysis
The stakeholder survey was designed to capture expectations for the project. Also, to gain insight on volunteering from the teams involved and how they worked collaboratively to design the service model ,and plan implementation.
End of Life Care Volunteer Reflection Form
Hello fellow EOLC colleagues. I am the EOLC volunteer coordinator for West Herts trust. I hope you are all getting on well with your projects. I am 10 weeks into my new role now and loving it. I wanted to share our evaluation/reflection document. We ask volunteers to complete this at the end of a patient visit as a way of us capturing the support they provided and as a way of them taking some time out to reflect and decompress. I hope you find it helpful!
Any questions, please ask
Deb
New telephone helpline service: Anne Robson Trust
Caring for a loved one at the end of their life can often feel lonely and isolating.
The Anne Robson Trust’s national helpline will give people that compassionate ear and support that can make a real difference at this difficult time in their life.
Referral process
Hi all,
@Martin Lammie posted this question in a general forum, but I thought I should share his question here so you might be able to help him:
His question is: I am just looking for some ideas on what to include in the referral for the End of Life Companion Service. What have other trusts included in this document, are staff working on wards happy to fill this in online or paper based?
Thank you so much,
Vy
End of Life care project - I&I support
Hi there,
Please find attached the presentation of how I&I can support the end of life project.
Proper training is essential for volunteers working in end of life care
Research
Nationwide survey on volunteers' training in hospice and palliative care in Poland
Leszek Pawłowski1,
Monika Lichodziejewska-Niemierko1,
Iga Pawłowska2,
Wojciech Leppert3 and
Piotr Mróz1
Author affiliations
Abstract
Background Volunteers working in hospice and palliative care facilities in Poland undertake various activities which are performed in accordance with legal regulations and the individual policies of each hospice. The aim of this study was to explore the roles and training of volunteers working in hospice and palliative care settings.
Methods A cross-sectional survey was carried out that investigated the services performed by volunteers and their preparation for work within residential hospices. Questionnaires were distributed to volunteers and hospice representatives, and the responses obtained underwent statistical analysis.
Participants A total of 180 volunteers and 28 hospice representatives from 29 residential hospices participated in this survey.
Results All hospices surveyed were supported by volunteers. 79% of volunteers worked alongside patients and performed the following services: accompanying patients (76%), feeding patients (61%), cleaning rooms (48%), dressing and bathing (42%) and organising leisure time (40%). Fewer volunteers were involved in activities outside of patient support—for example, charity work and fundraising (34%), cleaning hospice buildings (23%) as well as providing information and education (22%). According to volunteers, prior to undertaking their duties, 64% participated in theoretical training and 37% took part in a practical course. The majority attended courses relating to general knowledge of hospice and palliative care (64%) and volunteer rights and duties (55%).
Conclusions Overall, proper training was an essential requirement needed to be fulfilled by volunteers, particularly when involved in direct patient support. Most volunteers were simultaneously involved in various areas of service; therefore, their training should be comprehensive.
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End of Life Care Volunteering
This group has been formed to support trusts, health boards and charities where volunteers play an integral part in supporting and enhancing the holistic care that people experience at the end of life. Marie Curie and Helpforce are working together to increase the number of volunteers supporting patients approaching the end of life in hospitals and communities across the UK. The partnership is supporting NHS organisations across the UK to develop their own end of life volunteering services.
The group is for anyone with an interest in End of Life Care volunteering, whether you already manage an End of Life Care service or would like to work with us to adopt a similar model in your own organisation.
This is a public group which means that the resources can be accessed by anyone and the discussion topics are visible. The content of the discussions and member profiles can only be accessed by group members.