Volunteers going into the homes of the terminally ill will get greater support as part of a new mentoring program.
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Warrnambool and District Community Hospice is implementing the program for its fourth group of volunteers, which will graduate on Wednesday.
The unique hospice in the home program provides trained volunteers to support families and carers to allow their loved ones to die at home and not in a hospital, if that is their wish.
Experienced hospice volunteer Peter Hasell is mentoring Carol Robinson, who is part of the fourth group to go through the nine-week training program.
Ms Robinson has also put her hand up to volunteer at South West Healthcare and said at the start of training she was concerned about how she would handle the role.
“I will admit, I was really apprehensive. The first week was quite confronting but the more you talk about it… it became easier to digest and now I’m quite calm about it all,” she said.
“As it’s progressed, and we’re almost at the end of our training, I’m really relaxed about it and really looking forward to it, really looking forward to helping someone with their journey.”
Mr Hasell said the not-for-profit group’s volunteers were already well supported, but the mentoring program helped make the role official.
“What it really does is if we’re going into a home for the first time, Carol comes along with me and she can see what happens without being confronted. Before we go I tell Carol what’s going on and the anonymity stays with us,” he said.
“It’s so they know they’re not alone and that they can go along and feel comfortable and confident.
“It’s the support, plus, it’s amazing how Carol helps me by asking me questions. It goes both ways.”
The hospice in the home program has been up and running for just over 15 months and from Wednesday have 55 trained volunteers.
A fifth round of volunteer training is expected to begin in the second half of 2017.
The free hospice at home program ties in with existing health services to provide overnight, weekend and extended daytime support. Volunteers come into the home in the final stages of an illness as long as there is a family carer and symptoms can be managed at home.