BALLARAT Hospice Care has marked this National Volunteer Week by shining the spotlight on those who donate their time to the organisation.<\/p>\n
In line with the Week\u2019s theme, Recognise. Reconnect. Reimagine.<\/em> Ballarat Hospice Care CEO Carita Clancy acknowledged the \u201cimportant and valued\u201d work the group\u2019s volunteers complete each day.<\/p>\n \u201cVolunteer Week is a great opportunity to share one of many volunteer stories that shows the individual impact volunteering has on the people, the volunteer, communities and organisations,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n John Elliott has been a volunteer since last year. He joined to make a difference to his community and connected with Ballarat Hospice Care\u2019s isolated clients, their families and carers COVID-safely via phone.<\/p>\n Since August, Mr Elliott has been calling a male client each week who wishes to remain anonymous. But this client said they both enjoy and value their regular chat, and opportunity to share thoughts.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a time where we talk about everything and anything, from politics and religion, to articles or books we have read, and then of course there is football,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cThe weekly call is one of the important markers of the week for me. Often my wife will be on the other phone and the three of us have a great three-way talk.\u201d<\/p>\n Mr Elliott said his volunteering is a \u201csacrosanct time.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt is the best general conversation I have outside my family each week, and I would never give it up as I really enjoy our conversation together.<\/p>\n \u201cI think I gain much more than I give. He is a fabulous and generous person, and I have learnt so much from him and my volunteer experience,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Mrs Clancy is \u201cincredibly grateful\u201d to all Ballarat Hospice Care volunteers like Mr Elliott.<\/p>\n \u201cThey give so generously of their time, skills and passion to make a difference to the lives of others through their kindness and willingness.\u201d<\/p>\n National Volunteer Week runs until this Sunday, 23 May.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" BALLARAT Hospice Care has marked this National Volunteer Week by shining the spotlight on those who donate their time to the organisation. In line with the Week\u2019s theme, Recognise. Reconnect. Reimagine. Ballarat Hospice Care CEO Carita Clancy acknowledged the \u201cimportant and valued\u201d work the group\u2019s volunteers complete each day. \u201cVolunteer Week is a great opportunity […]<\/p>\n