Local hospice care charity Phyllis Tuckwell is looking for more volunteers to join its Home Support team.

These volunteers are each paired with one of Phyllis Tuckwell’s patients, and can visit them at home once a week, for up to three hours. They may take them out shopping or to medical appointments, go for a walk or drive together, perhaps to a local garden centre or café, or simply sit and have a chat with them over a cup of tea.

Phyllis Tuckwell provides supportive and end of life care for patients and families in West Surrey and North-East Hampshire, who are living with an advanced or terminal illness, such as cancer. Being seriously ill can cause anxiety and stress, and can be lonely too, and these volunteers can make a real difference to a patient’s life, providing practical and emotional support and companionship at a difficult time. Their help also means that the patient’s carer is able to have a few hours to themselves, knowing that their loved one is safe and being looked after.

“Our Home Support volunteers make such a big difference to the lives of our patients,” said Julia Morpeth, Voluntary Services Manager at Phyllis Tuckwell. “Just a few hours of their time, providing a listening ear or support to get out of the house, really helps to boost patients’ confidence and wellbeing. We provide our volunteers with both induction and ongoing training and guidance to help them understand their role, develop their skills and really feel that they are making a difference.”

Phyllis Tuckwell’s next training sessions for new Home Support volunteers will take place over three Saturdays across January 2024. If you enjoy the company of others and like the idea of making a real difference to someone’s life, perhaps this could be the thing for you? To sign up or find out more, please call 01252 729400, email [email protected] or visit www.pth.org.uk/get-in-touch-volunteering where you can fill in an online form.