About Bob
Bob volunteers in palliative care with NAHLAN and has been with the organisation since 2019. He assists nursing staff by stocking cupboards, filling the hot blanket cupboard, keeping tea and coffee supplies topped up in the family area, and offering company to patients who request it.
Bob shares that the death of a close friend from cancer 24 years ago inspired him to explore palliative care volunteering after retiring in 2017.
“It is a very humbling experience and a privilege to be with these patients in their most difficult times. It makes me realise to enjoy every day because tomorrow is not promised to anyone”, he says.
Q&A Interview:
Disclaimer: The views expressed are the opinions and thoughts of our interviewees, reflecting on their own experiences and views.
My role in palliative care is to assist the nursing staff by stocking up cupboards, filling the hot blanket cupboard,making sure the coffee, tea, sugar containers in the family area are full, talking to patients if they request some company.
I wanted to become a palliative volunteer when my best friend died of cancer 24 yrs ago, so when I retired in 2017 that is when I started to enquire about it.
It is a very humbling experience and a privilege to be with these patients in there most difficult times, it makes me realise to enjoy every day because tomorrow is not promised to anyone.
Maybe someone to talk to, a shoulder to lean on, an ear to listen and someone to share their sorrow with.
We have a very good support crew that we can talk to, me personally I know I can speak with the spiritual team.
I am happy with the way things are at the moment.
I would say be very careful, end of life is not for everyone but if you feel confident by all means give it a go.
