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Have you ever wanted to give some of your time to a worthy cause or organisation?
ALBERTON – Perhaps volunteering at a hospice has crossed your mind, but you’re worried that it’s sad and depressing work?
On the contrary, hospice work is both fulfilling and rewarding. All that’s needed is the correct type of training and support, says holistic entrepreneur, Marisa Wollheim, a dedicated and passionate trainer with more than two decades of experience in hospice care.
For Marisa, hospice teaches us how to live with the realities of life, loss, death and grief. She will be sharing her knowledge and insight when she facilitates a comprehensive caregiver training course in October at Stepping Stone Hospice in New Market Park, Alberton.
An independent, community-driven organisation and the first service of its kind in the Greater Alberton area, Stepping Stone Hospice provides specialist palliative care to people experiencing the impact of life-threatening illnesses. “We aim to meet their physical, psychological, spiritual and social needs, and also support their families through this experience and bring solace to those grieving the death of a loved one,” explains Stepping Stone Hospice CEO, Tersia Burger. “Our palliative care is offered by a team of doctors, professional nurses, therapists, social workers, spiritual counsellors and volunteers.”
Module one of the introduction to caregiving course, will run from October 6 to 9 from 09:00 to 16:00 each day at a cost of R500 per attendee for the course. A host of topics will be covered, including:
*What is a hospice?
* Basic self awareness
*Communication, counselling and life skills
*Stages of loss (including understanding loss and how it affects us)
*Dynamics of death and dying
*Grief, empathy and bereavement
*The power of choice and attitude
* Holistic care and living
“Whether you decide, by the end of the course, to take the plunge and become a hospice volunteer or not, this journey of learning and understanding is sure to change your life,” says Marisa.
There are several ongoing supportive duties at Stepping Stone Hospice and volunteers are welcomed in areas such as fundraising and events, home-based care, catering, collections and deliveries, administration and phone duty, as well as housekeeping and maintenance. No previous palliative care or counselling experience is required, unless you want to become a careworker or bereavement counsellor. A commitment of 4-5 hours per week of your time is recommended to help ensure that you become an active part of the very dedicated team.
For more information and applications for the caregiver training course, contact Jane Garcia at Stepping Stone Hospice on 087 997 0222 or e-mail info@steppingstonehospice.co.za. Applications close on September 30.
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