Volunteers

Volunteering is a great way to share your knowledge and time contributing to the care and wellbeing of others in your community.

The Palliative Care Volunteer’s Role is to:

“strengthen the ability of the ill person to cope with life, to participate in as much as they can, and to live as fully as possible”.

Palliative Care Victoria, Volunteer Support Workers, May 2003

Volunteers are an integral part of the Calvary Health Care Bethlehem’s Mission and are valuable members of the multidisciplinary support services. They perform many tasks which contribute to the reputation for excellence in holistic neurological and palliative care.

Who Can be a Volunteer with Calvary Health Care Bethlehem?

Individuals with a mature and caring attitude, willing to help others, can become part of the Bethlehem Volunteer Services.

Flexibility, and sensitivity are essential qualities that motivate volunteers to provide support within the Hospital, our 2 Day Care Centres or in the community.

Volunteer Services Undertaken -

Comforting presence often without words
Writing patients memoirs, stories & letters
Assisting with Meals
Assisting with outings
Organising reading material
Transport assistance/support/home visits
Card games
Arranging flowers
Assisting relatives
Assisting in group programs
Manicures
Tactile therapeutic massage/hands/feet/head
Social Support at Home
Supporting the hospital’s shopping trolley service
Visiting pets program
Administrative support

Volunteer Education

1. When Volunteering at Calvary Health Care Bethlehem a one day Induction is required for all staff.

2. The Calvary Health Care Bethlehem Volunteer’s Orientation Training Program is conducted yearly for all new Volunteers consisting of a 30 hour training program presenting the following:

The philosophy and objectives of Calvary Health Care Bethlehem
The concept of Palliative Care
Caring for individuals with a MS, MND and Huntington’s Disease.
Aspects of loss, bereavement, death and dying
Holistic, Multidisciplinary team functions
Communication skills
Tactile Therapy Skills
Volunteer's rights and responsibilities and duty of care in Volunteering

3. The "Buddying" process is a mentoring program where support is provided by trained volunteers to new recruits.

4. Individual volunteer support and debriefing is always available by the Volunteer Manager and other professional staff as needed.

5. Monthly meetings and in-house training

Support and training for volunteers is ongoing and is structured to the individual, group needs and hospital’s requirements.

Becoming a Volunteer with Calvary Health Care Bethlehem Requires that you:

Have a minimum commitment of 3 hours a week for 2 years
Undergo a police check
Participated in the Volunteer Education Program
Have a willingness to be part of a holistic multidisciplinary team

Your commitment allows us to use your time and skills to provide a quality service for patients, their family carers and staff.

Want to know more?

Please contact the Volunteer Manager at Volunteers@bethlehem.org.au
or telephone 03 9595 3479.