Volunteering Hub

Being present for someone with a life limiting illness, and their family, is an honor and a privilege. Small acts of support can make a big difference. Start with an organisation that has a comprehensive volunteer induction and training program with ongoing support to assist you to work through any concerns. Palliative Care SA can help you identify organisations in your area with volunteer vacancies….

Lew has been volunteering as an Aged Care Volunteer Visitor with Southern Volunteering SA Inc for three years. His role involves one-on-one visits with socially isolated older people living in aged care homes, and he has also visited people living in their own homes…

Kevin volunteers in palliative care with NAHLN Volunteer Association and has been with the organisation since 2014. He began volunteering in the community and on the ward, but since Covid….

Carolyn has been volunteering as a Complementary Care Massage Therapist with Southern Adelaide Palliative Services at Laurel Hospice for five years. She provides physical comfort and emotional support to people nearing the end of life, drawing on her background as a Lymphoedema, Remedial and Massage Therapist.

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.

Helen volunteers as a Palliative Care Community Volunteer with Central Adelaide Palliative Care and has been with the organisation for nine years. She provides support and comfort to people nearing the end of life and their families, drawing on her background as a Paediatric Intensive Care nurse, professional photographer and end-of-life doula…

Mel volunteers at Modbury Hospital and Lyell McEwin Hospital with Northern Healthcare Volunteer Association. She provides support and comfort to patients and their families during their end stage of life. Providing emotional support to patients as well as non-client facing support to the team, by organising supplies, stocking equipment and sorting the cleaning room area.

Tricia has been a Southern Volunteering ACVVS volunteer for 16 years. In that time, she has made many meaningful friendships with the socially isolated older people she visits and remained as a regular visitor to them until they have passed away. Several of the people she has visited have been receiving palliative care in the weeks and months up until their death, and Tricia has shown them compassion and provided much needed social support in this time.

Tricia is a highly valued volunteer in the ACVVS program and is a very special individual whom they all admire and respect greatly.

Bernie provides volunteer support in peoples homes in Mt Gambier. Providing carer respite, making people comfortable and helping them focus on quality of life.
Bernie shares how she has experienced deep friendship and connection, as well as how proud she is to be able to give back and assist nearing end of life – describing it as both rewarding and challenging. She shares how friends have grown amongst the volunteers from all walks of life.

Lynn guides a team of palliative care volunteers who work in the hospitals and in the community to provide space and support to clients with a life-limiting illness. The wonderful volunteers assist their clients to revisit and capture aspects of their life in a way that suits them.  Life Stories is about the individual themselves and celebrates their life in their own way, through their own voice. The memories, ideas and days that have shaped who they are.

Kylie is relatively new to her role as a Volunteer Coordinator with Southern Adelaide Palliative Service (SAPS), and approaches her interactions with volunteers as colleagues, rather than as a manager. Kylie likes to listen to those in palliative care roles – there is much to learn from their experience. It takes a village to support people through palliative care and Kylie is thankful SAPS volunteers are a part of that.

Manju is the Director Volunteer Operations – Northern Healthcare Volunteer Association, providing services to the Northern Adelaide Local Health Network. Manju has long shared her passion for supporting volunteers with an aim to provide the best outcomes for patient and their families, while maintaining a strong focus on volunteer well-being and role satisfaction.

Gemma is the Volunteer Coordinator at Central Adelaide Palliative Care Services, through the Community Volunteer program provides services that fill the gaps for families. Gemma coordinates services that help patients and families to maintain quality of life and to ‘stay at home’ for as long as possible. Gemma provides a warm and open support to volunteers, and ensures an individual’s skills and interests are matched with roles for best impact.

Irene loves being at Laurel Hospice Wellbeing and being of service to the palliative care unit. Irene offers meditation and reiki to patients and their families once a week, making a big difference to those who receive her acts of service. Irene also provides a fortnightly group meditation session for nurses and staff at the Laurel Hospice Palliative Care.

Marissa volunteers her time, presence, and journalistic skills with the Northern Adelaide Palliative Care Service, Biography Program. With a natural ability to simply be with people she values the individual’s precious time with deep listening and storytelling.

Alix generously volunteers her time at Laurel Hospice. Alix provides gentle support to patients and their families with an open heart, listening ear and a good laugh when the time is right. Alix values the moments of connection made during her time with people and feels fulfilled through this service.

Sue volunteers her presence, care, and assistance within a palliative care community setting. As a companion, Sue visits with those experiencing a life limiting illness in their homes providing a welcome change of conversation for both patients and families alike. Sue’s family are very supportive of her volunteering role and the meaning it brings to her life.

Eve is one of a large team of volunteers covering shifts Monday to Saturday in the Modbury Hospital Palliative Care Hospice. With service spanning 11 years, Eve feels privileged to share time with people during their journey through to end of life.

Clare enjoys her time and skills through community palliative care, Central Adelaide Palliative Care services. Visiting people in their homes, and joining them on activities, or a good chat over coffee, Clare is so valued in our community.