Earlier this month, Volunteer Coordinators from regional and metro services across South Australia came together in Adelaide for the Palliative Care Volunteering Study Tour 2026 — a two-day program designed to strengthen networks, share knowledge, and support the ongoing development of palliative care volunteering across our state.
Two Days of Learning and Collaboration
Participants had the opportunity to explore a range of volunteer service models through site visits, gaining firsthand insight into how different services are structured and delivered. These visits provided a valuable foundation for the conversations and planning that followed.
Alongside the site visits, participants engaged in facilitated discussions that drew on the breadth of experience in the room — sharing what is working well, reflecting on common challenges, and identifying opportunities to strengthen volunteer roles in their own regions.
Building Connections That Last
One of the most significant outcomes of the Study Tour was the strengthening of relationships between regional and metro services. For many participants, the two days provided a rare opportunity to connect with peers across the sector — to learn from one another and to build the kind of networks that support more consistent, collaborative palliative care volunteering across South Australia.
Practical Action Plans
A key focus of the program was translating discussion into action. Participants worked collaboratively to develop practical plans tailored to their regions, with a view to enhancing volunteer roles and the support structures around them. We look forward to seeing these plans put into practice in the months ahead.
Thank You
A sincere thank you to all participants, hosts, and partners who contributed to making this Study Tour such a worthwhile experience — Southern Adelaide Palliative Services, Calvary Health Care SA Hospital, Mary Potter Hospice, Central Adelaide Palliative Care Services, Southern Volunteering, Northern Volunteering SA Inc., In Home Hospice Care, Care in Motion, Pure Land Home Hospice, Strath Neighbourhood Centre, and Volunteering SA&NT.
