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

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 25 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.