By Cecilia Nasmith/Today’s Northumberland
Progress on the construction of Ed’s House has advanced to the point that Community Care Northumberland is seeking volunteers who might have an interest in helping provide vital services at the new Northumberland Hospice Care Centre – as well as with the hospice-services program they now operate.
Community Care currently provides a range of support services to those with a life-limiting illness, and to their caregivers, throughout the county. The program includes caregiver support, education, grief and bereavement support, health-system navigation and palliative support, all at no cost to clients and their families.
And now that a residential hospice is opening in Hamilton Township in the fall, these resources will include a 10-bed centre (six currently operational beds and four more in the future) to offer comprehensive care and support to those requiring hospice palliative care and their families.
With the COVID-19 pandemic, Community Care is beginning the volunteer-acquisition process with an eye to completing reference checks, training and other components of the proceeds virtually. This will allow new volunteers to begin connecting with clients by phone, video or e-mail while Community Care acquires and trains volunteers for the opening of Ed’s House in a way that ensures the health and safety of all staff, volunteers and clients.
“Volunteer support is still an important resource for our hospice-service program, as we work through these challenging times together,” hospice volunteer recruitment and development co-ordinator Bonnie Houghton said in the press release.
“We are modifying our practices and delivery of care and finding innovative ways to continue serving both hospice clients and their families.”
If you have ever considered joining Community Care’s specialized group of volunteers, this could be a great time to start – contact b.haughton@commcare.ca or call 855-473-8875 for more information.
For more information on Community Care’s hospice services, visit https://www.//commcare.ca/hospice-services.html.
For more information on Ed’s House, visit Northumberland Hospice Care Centre.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
