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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“Compassionate Hearts provides me with a means to achieve this goal,” Mr Austen said.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
“Historically, I’ve been in similar roles having spent 30 years at my local Lions club in Melbourne through their partnerships with healthcare services.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
“This type of service is very similar to what Compassionate Hearts offers.”<\/p>\n
Compassionate Hearts on the Bellarine had 18 volunteers assisting local residents prior to last week.<\/p>\n
The total number of volunteers has now increased to 29, providing ample support to current volunteers service as a result.<\/p>\n
The training prepares new volunteers for a range of scenarios and how to communicate effectively in a variety of settings with ill-affected residents.<\/p>\n
Borough of Queenscliffe mayor Cr Isabelle Tolhurst was in attendance to present the new volunteers with their certificates.<\/p>\n
The mayor said a service like Compassionate Hearts provides a unique impact to an ageing community across her Council and the Bellarine.<\/p>\n
“I think an organisation like Compassionate Hearts brings with it an extraordinary level of comfort to the community,” Cr Tolhurst said.<\/p>\n
“It provides a support that is fully necessary, and by all accounts, we have a great number of volunteers because more are needed.”<\/p>\n
Email info@chob.org.au for more information on Compassionate Hearts on the Bellarine.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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 […]<\/p>\n