Bega Valley Palliative Care Volunteer Service

Bega Valley Palliative Care Volunteer Service provides FREE volunteer support for people living with a life limiting illness, as well as their familes and carers.  Specially trained volunteers can provide support by visiting people in their homes, which can include Residential Aged Care Facilities.  Clients are referred by their nurse or doctor to our volunteer service. Many volunteers have been through similar situations and are able to offer practical and emotional support to others.  The are an important part of the team of people caring for someone under Palliative Care, which does not have a time limit and can be for a year or more.  Volunteers help by offering support in many ways, including companionship providing short respite opportunities running errands or assisting in outings reading or writing, minor practical tasks in the home assistance with hobbies playing games simply spending time with a client.  

What is Palliative Care?  Palliative Care is a specialised health cae for people whose illnes is not curable.  It aims to maximise quality of life and minimise pain and other symptoms.  It is an approach which considers the needs of the 'whole' person, including physica, psychological, social and spiritual needs.  It also includes the support of carers and families.

Who would make a good volunteer?  Palliative Care Volunteers serve people in their local community who are at a vulnerable point in their life.  They are specially selected and trained to understand and enhance the quality of life of those they visit through compassionate, non-medical care.  

Volunteers are:

trusted and confidential

willing to listen

non-judgemental and understanding

emotionally mature and resilient

empathetic and committed

able to understand and accept the values, beliefs and decisions of others even when they differ from one' own

Specialised training, identity and security checks and vaccination screening are all part of the induction process.  People over the age of 18 and from diverse cultural backgrounds are encouraged to apply to be a Palliative Care Volunteer for our Bega Valley community.

Eligibility Criteria

18 yrs or older Working with Children Check National Police Background Check