Volunteer Descriptions
Community Advisory Committee
This group of citizens from Wangaratta and it's surrounding districts was formed in 2002 and meets every two months to assist NHW in adequately meeting the needs of the community. It reviews documents such as brochures and pamphlets, assists in policy formation where appropriate and also helps with publications such as the Quality of Care Report. The members of the committee generously give their time to assist in improving NHW services.
Aged Care Volunteers
The Aged Care Volunteers provide very important community contact, social interaction and leisure activities for the Aged Care Residents. The volunteers attentively support and encourage the residents to participate in many different types of activities such as sing-a-longs, wheelchair walks, word quizzes, euchre, cooking delicious morning teas, assisting ladies with their hair styling and make-up, piano playing, serving of meals and drinks. Residents also enjoy visits from primary school children, CWA and Uniting Church members as well as German Shepherds, Red Setters and Papillions from the Wangaratta Dog Obedience Club.
Pastoral Care Volunteers
Pastoral Care Volunteers are provided by their particular denomination and visit patients and residents at their request. Sometimes to simply sit with them or to listen to their concerns and problems. Pastoral Care Volunteers come from many faiths and denominations, if you are interested in this role, please contact your local church for further information.
Psychiatric Services Volunteers
A group of volunteer carers who dedicate their time on a weekly basis at the hospital's psychiatric in-patient unit. The primary role of these dedicated carers is to provide and opportunity to visit and support the family members, friends and carers of psychiatric patients. The carers offer invaluable support, encouragement and sharing of experiences to the families during times of confusion and uncertainty.
Fundraising Volunteers
Fundraising volunteers provide an essential service to our Community Relations Department during our Spring Appeal campaign. Volunteers are invited to be involved in the activities run throughout this time including, raffle ticket selling, function preparation and implementation, donation tin rattling, administration tasks. If you would like to be involved, please contact our Community Relations Department on (03) 5722 0448.
Patient Visitor Volunteers
Patient visitors are involved in the every day activities in our acute hospital setting. Visitors undertake a variety of roles depending on their interests. This involvement can include reading to patients, play games, general conversations and participating in activities that are happening in the area.
Palliative Care Volunteers
The Northeast Health Wangaratta Palliative Care service provides specially trained volunteers to support people registered on the Palliative care programme and their families. Their role includes providing a listening ear, companionship, assistance with practical issues for example running errands, allowing time for the family to have a break by sitting with the person and support in assisting someone to undertake activities of interest for the person hobbies, reading, writing letters, etc.
Although unpaid, Palliative Care volunteers are a valued member of the palliative care team and play an integral role in the support of people who are admitted to the Palliative Care programme and their families.
An assessment is undertaken by the Family Care Coordinator to ensure that Volunteers are matched to the individual and their family, which facilitates a unique relationship being built between the volunteer, the individual and their family.
Experienced Volunteers can undertake additional training to assist people to write their story through the Memoir Service and also support families during their bereavement through the Bereavement Support Programme.
If you would like more information about the Palliative Care Volunteer service please contact the Family Care Coordinator at Northeast Health Wangaratta Palliative Care on 03 57 220184.