|
THE QUEEN’S
GOLDEN JUBILEE AWARD
AND OUR VOLUNTEERS AT THE PHYLLIS TUCKWELL HOSPICE |
 |
The Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice volunteers bring a ‘breath of
fresh air’ into the hospice environment in a variety of roles as wide
ranging as provision of natural therapies, driving day-care patients, flower
arranging, reception duties, ward administration to fundraising, garden
maintenance, counselling and day-care help.
We operate in a very friendly, relaxed working atmosphere
with no two days the same and, at the end of each day, a sense of
achievement in a job well done.
The Hospice provides a range of specialist palliative care
services to meet the needs of patients with terminal illness and also
supports their carers. The volunteer force are essential to enable
continuation and expansion of the wide provision of services which would
otherwise not be possible due to financial constraints.
Our volunteers, range in age from 14 years (Duke of Edinburgh
students who carry out re-cycling activities), to over 80 years of age, have
enabled the Hospice to offer palliative care to the local community by their
contribution of over 500 hours per week of their time. Their expertise
contributes directly to essential services as well as to the quality of our
patients lives through specialist activities including art therapy, massage,
counselling and spiritual support.
The volunteers actively benefit the whole community as they
enable the Hospice to provide a much valued service but also act as
ambassadors in educating the local community, making them aware of the range
of services available throughout the duration of life limiting illness.
This greater awareness supports the fundraising efforts, directly
contributing to the Hospice funds.
Our volunteers were put forward to receive the Queen’s Golden
Jubilee Award as without their support and gift of time we would not be able
to offer the same level of specialist care to the terminally ill patients in
the local community and those requiring respite care.
The tremendous loyalty and commitment to the Hospice patients
is demonstrated in many ways, not least that a high number of our volunteers
have worked from 5 years to over 20 years in a variety of roles.
Those who quietly give their time so freely, with no
remuneration and often little praise undoubtedly deserve to receive this
highly valued award.
back top of page |
