The Nelson Tasman Hospice is needing volunteers more now than ever. Their general source of volunteers is in an older age bracket who haven’t been able to offer their support recently because their priority has been keeping themselves safe during Covid-19.
“We really do rely on volunteers”, CEO Frans Dellebeke said, “it’s important work.”
The hospice grounds have been professional landscaped and make a beautiful backdrop for patients and their visiting families to enjoy. With the onset of the Coronavirus, fundraising gifts and grants declined and this has meant hospice needs to cut costs in some areas.
Frans said, “We have had to embark on a significant cost-saving initiative, which includes the landscaping contract”.
Where a landscaping company took care of the maintenance of the grounds, hospice have had to discontinue that company’s services for the new financial year.
This means volunteers are twice as important to them, especially if the volunteers have handy green fingers. Help would take the form of weeding, feeding and lawn mowing. The other area requiring volunteer assistance is on the equipment side.
This involves helping to picking up and delivering beds, special mattresses and equipment such as walking frames and shower stools, to patients within their own homes.
Equipment and maintenance coordinator Barry Howell says, “I need 20 volunteers who are physically fit and can dedicate a few hours a week to do deliveries and collections across the Nelson Tasman region”.
There are many other types of ways to help as a volunteer. Jobs include life story writing, baking, administration, patient help, flower arranging and working in the op shops.
Prospective volunteers are matched with work according to their experience and interests. They are also supported with an induction programme and training where necessary. So, no one need feel they don’t have the skills necessary to be a volunteer.
If you want to be of help please give Krisca a call and she will support you through the steps of providing the best type of support. (03) 546 3912 or email krisca.gould@nelsonhospice.org.nz.