Could you offer companionship and support to one of Phyllis Tuckwell’s patients?
Phyllis Tuckwell provides Hospice Care to patients, families and carers who are living with an advanced or terminal illness, such as cancer. It has a number of Home Support volunteers who help it do this, by giving their time to visit and chat to patients at home, offering them both company and practical support at what can be an anxious and stressful time. Phyllis Tuckwell is looking for more Home Support volunteers to provide this important care for its patients – could you help?
Home Support volunteers are each matched with a patient whom they visit 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. 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.
“Our Home Support volunteers offer a unique and really important service to our patients throughout their illness,” said Alison Knight, Home Support co-ordinator at Phyllis Tuckwell. “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.”
Phyllis Tuckwell provides its Home Support 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.
It will be holding a Home Support volunteer recruitment event at its Headway House office on Crosby Way in Farnham, on Wednesday 17th September, from 12-6pm. You can register your interest by calling its Patient & Family Support team on 01252 729430 or emailing pafs@pth.org.uk. Alternatively, just come along on the day and speak to its team at the recruitment event.
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.
