KAWARTHA LAKES-Fenelon Falls resident Karen Barrington saw first hand the difference Hospice Services makes in the lives of their patients. She wanted to help others in the community, so she decided to become a volunteer.
“Having been a Hospice client in the past, I saw first hand many positive influences in my life as a result of Hospice Services. I became so intrigued with how Hospice was supporting those in the community that I wanted to be a part of it,” Karin says.
Hospice Services’ staff and volunteers support more than 800 local residents each year who are experiencing life-limiting illness and grief. Hospice palliative care aims to relieve suffering, while improving the quality of living and dying.
To help meet the demand on service in all areas of the City of Kawartha Lakes, the organization is currently offering the chance for new volunteers to get involved. Two upcoming training series for interested volunteers will be offered in March and April. Hospice Core Training begins March 15 in Fenelon Falls, and April 2 in Lindsay.
Volunteers are the backbone of many Hospice services offered at no cost to local residents, says Hospice Program Co-ordinator Janice Craig. Janice is tasked with ensuring that all volunteers are highly trained and well supported while participating in this meaningful work. Upon completion of the core training, participants will have gained a better understanding of the different aspects of palliative care, providing comfort measures for end-of-life clients, attitudes towards death and dying, communication, family dynamics, grief and loss, and more.
The Core Training sessions in Fenelon Falls will be held on Fridays (March 15, 22 & 29) from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at St. James Anglican Church (19 Bond St. E.). The Lindsay sessions will be Tuesdays and Fridays (April 2-26) from 9 a.m. to noon at Hospice Services (2 Kent St. W.). A registration fee applies for either series.
For further information, or to register for training to be a Hospice volunteer, contact Community Care Hospice Services at 705-879-4123, or e-mail [email protected]
