End of Life service looking for volunteers ‘to be there’
The service offers companionship to people with a terminal diagnosis.
A palliative befriending service that will now stretch across Dumfries and Galloway is looking to recruit new volunteers.
No One Dies Alone is there for elderly patients at care homes with terminal diagnoses and offers companionship for anyone who doesn’t have any family or friends to fulfil that role.
The team have been in Wigtownshire for the last year and is looking to expand east of the region.
Founder Penny Halliday says all training will be given to anyone looking to enrol and there are no requirements to sign up.
“It doesn’t have to be anyone with any particular background. It’s about being present, being compassionate and having kindness. We’d be looking for people who will have the time and can be called on at the last minute.”
She adds that without volunteers, service users wouldn’t have anyone.
“There would be no service without volunteers – we’d have to close the service. It’s been going on in Wigtownshire for over a year now and it’s been extremely successful. We have sat with people in care homes for the last three days of their lives being there for them and making them comfortable.
“It’s about having a quiet, compassionate confidant to sit with someone who is at the end of their life. It’s to be able to just hold their hands, maybe read to them if that’s what they want, just to be there to be present.”
Anyone wanting to sign up as a volunteer can enquire here.