TLC Volunteers Maitland Inc Website

Volunteers help by:

• Providing respite for carers
• Offering companionship
• Reading or writing letters
• Accompanying patients to appointments
• Running errands
• Making cups of tea and coffee
• Assisting at mealtimes
• Providing help with minor practical tasks in the home.

Volunteers provide a friendly, listening ear and a non-judgemental presence. They are unpaid and give their time to provide a caring service for other people. Despite their volunteer status, they are members of the Palliative Care Team, bound by the same professional standards of ethics and privacy.

If you are interested in either discussing the appropriateness of a volunteer becoming involved in the care of you or your family, or are interested in becoming a volunteer phone TLC Volunteer Service on 02 4939 2169.

Who is a palliative care volunteer?

A palliative care volunteer is a person who:

• is 18 years or older
• receives training and ongoing support
• enjoys meeting people
• is comfortable being with someone who has a life-limiting illness
• is an important and integral part of the palliative care team
• wants to make a difference in the lives of those they visit
• is non-judgemental

Recruitment, Selection & Responsibilities

Volunteers are selected and trained by TLC Volunteers Maitland Inc.

Training includes such topics as listening skills, communication, loss & grief, self-care, understanding of life-limiting illnesses, bereavement.

Volunteers are unpaid and give their time to provide a caring service for other people.

TLC Volunteers are thoroughly screened before being placed.