Compassionate Hearts welcomes new volunteers

A NEW wave of volunteers will now be able to assist illness-affected residents across the Bellarine, after completing a four-week program in Point Lonsdale last week.

Compassionate Heart on the Bellarine, a local not-for-profit support service assisting residents with life-limiting illnesses, added 11 new volunteers to its ranks last Thursday (November 9), following the final of four training sessions at Point Lonsdale Surf Life Saving Club.

Ocean Grove resident and new volunteer Wayne Austen says he wants to give back to the community, which is why he undertook the training course.

“Compassionate Hearts provides me with a means to achieve this goal,” Mr Austen said.

“It was after attending a music event at the Queenscliff Town Hall where I saw what the organisation was all about, and it was there I decided this is how I wanted to contribute back to my community.

“Historically, I’ve been in similar roles having spent 30 years at my local Lions club in Melbourne through their partnerships with healthcare services.

“I’ve also had two parents who passed away at home, and while I wasn’t providing medical care, I provided pastoral care for a family member.

“This type of service is very similar to what Compassionate Hearts offers.”

Compassionate Hearts on the Bellarine had 18 volunteers assisting local residents prior to last week.

The total number of volunteers has now increased to 29, providing ample support to current volunteers service as a result.

The training prepares new volunteers for a range of scenarios and how to communicate effectively in a variety of settings with ill-affected residents.

Borough of Queenscliffe mayor Cr Isabelle Tolhurst was in attendance to present the new volunteers with their certificates.

The mayor said a service like Compassionate Hearts provides a unique impact to an ageing community across her Council and the Bellarine.

“I think an organisation like Compassionate Hearts brings with it an extraordinary level of comfort to the community,” Cr Tolhurst said.

“It provides a support that is fully necessary, and by all accounts, we have a great number of volunteers because more are needed.”

Email [email protected] for more information on Compassionate Hearts on the Bellarine.