Galway Hospice website - Every moment matters...

Volunteers

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL GALWAY HOSPICE VOLUNTEERS ON WINNING A "MAYOR'S AWARD 2008".  THE AWARD WAS PRESENTED BY THE MAYOR OF GALWAY, CLLR PADRAIG CONNEELY, AT A GALA CEREMONY IN THE BLACK BOX THEATRE, GALWAY, IN JANUARY 2009.
 
Volunteers play a major role at Galway Hospice and have done so since the foundation of the Hospice Home Care Service in 1990 and the opening of the Inpatient Unit in 1997. Initially the volunteers helped in the Fundraising Department where volunteers have been involved as Promoters of the Hospice Weekly Draw, the annual Sunflower Day, Hospice Coffee Morning and various fundraising events throughout each year, and then at Reception when the building was opened in 1997.  Currently, volunteers work at the Reception area from 9am – 12 noon on Saturdays and Sundays and also cover lunch hour on Saturday and Sunday afternoons from 3.30pm – 4.30pm. The volunteers also cover break-time for paid staff each evening, Monday to Friday.

The role of the volunteer has expanded to meet the needs of the patients. We now have volunteers who do the following tasks each week at the Hospice:
• Reception Desk
• Day Care Drivers
• Day Care Companions
• Arts & Crafts
• Librarian
• Indoor Plants and Flowers
• Hairdressers
• Counting & Sorting of Dawn Dairy Milk Tokens
• Fundraising Drivers
• Painters
• Musicians and Singers
• Stewarding at Events
• Remembrance Services Volunteers
• Night Companions in the Inpatient Unit
• Fundraising Volunteers
• Promoters of Weekly Draw
Why People Volunteer:
• To help a good cause by doing something meaningful and fulfilling
• To be part of a team
• To get a better balance in life
• To help others
• To give something back
• To be challenged
• To make a difference
• To feel needed
• To share with others
• To learn a new skill
• To support their local community
• To cheer people up
• To keep busy
• To make a change
• To make new friends
• For fun
• Because others are doing it

There are as many reasons to volunteer as there are people who volunteer. They come from all walks of life and all age groups. Ordinary people who want to make a difference. They have a diverse range of life experience and are loyal, committed contributors to the life of the Galway Hospice Foundation.

How you can help
• Become a Promoter of the Weekly Draw. The monies from this draw are used to fund our Home Care Team of 10 Specialist Palliative Care Nurses who continuously care for and visit up to 120 patients in their own homes around the county. Funds from this also support our Day Care Unit. For many this is a vital service as it may be the only social outing they have each week.
• Become a Fundraising Volunteer. Give us a little of your time to help us organise fundraising events, helping with distribution of Sunflowers, organise a Coffee Morning and other special events which raise much needed funds for us.
• Become a Contact Person for us in your Orgainsation/Club/Workplace. This would be so valuable in fundraising i.e. helping to sell/distribute our Hospice Christmas Cards and organise sponsored golf events/walks/runs etc.
• Corporate Sponsors. There are opportunities for your organisation to support the unique and essential care offered at Galway Hospice Foundation. We welcome any enquiries in this regard.


Please print off a Volunteer Application Form, fill in and return to
Rita Grealish, Co-Ordinator of Volunteers, Galway Hospice Foundation, Renmore, Galway