If you enjoy the company of others and like the idea of supporting someone at a difficult time in their lives, would you consider becoming a Phyllis Tuckwell Home Support volunteer?
Local hospice care charity Phyllis Tuckwell has a team of Home Support volunteers who are each paired with one of its patients, and visit them at home once a week, for up to three hours. They may take them out shopping, 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.
“I feel privileged to meet so many different and amazing patients and families, and learn so much about their lives,” said Helen, one of Phyllis Tuckwell’s Home Support volunteers. “I look forward to each meeting, knowing I will come away feeling I have made a difference to their day. The patients and families I meet love and value having someone to talk to and being listened to.”
Phyllis Tuckwell provides palliative 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. 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 can have a few hours to themselves, knowing that their loved one is safe and being looked after.
“Just a few hours of your time, providing patients with a listening ear or support to get out of the house, really makes such a big difference to their lives and wellbeing,” said Julia Morpeth, voluntary services manager at Phyllis Tuckwell. “We provide our volunteers with 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 on 5th and 6th February. To sign up or find out more, please call 01252 729400, email voluntary.services@pth.org.uk or visit www.pth.org.uk/support-us/volunteer/apply-now where you can fill in an online form.
All our services are free, but this is only possible due to the generosity of our amazing community. The Government/NHS only provide 25% of our costs, so we need to raise over £25,000 every day to provide our vital services.
Please donate what you can to help keep hospice care available to all those in our community who need us.
