Variety of Volunteering at Hospice

BALLARAT Hospice Care are seeking volunteers to support their patients receiving palliative treatment, or the organisation’s broader operations.

Recently retired patient support volunteer of 35 years, Kath Connors has been part of Ballarat Hospice Care since its launch in the mid-1980s.

She said those that give their time to Hospice are part of a “valuable 24-hour community service,” supporting people who are facing the most challenging period of their life.

“It’s a very satisfying and rewarding role where you definitely get way more than you give. The people and the other volunteers kept me volunteering,” she said.

“Importantly, there is variety. You may not be in a role like mine; it could be working in the Op Shop, with community events, or gardening. There is definitely something for everyone.”

Mrs Connors encourages interested people to attend one of Hospice’s March volunteer information sessions.

They are set to be held on Thursday, 18 March at 10am, and Thursday, 25 March from 6pm.

A former nurse, Mrs Connors cared for her late husband who died 40 years ago, and she has since understood the importance and value of quality, accessible, community palliative care.

“If a carer is not well supported, we may have both have the patient and the carer in hospital, which is not what we want at all,” she said.

“If you have thoughts of volunteering for Ballarat Hospice Care, why not give it a go and just do it?”

Call Ballarat Hospice Care on 5333 1118 for further information, or to register your interest in a session.