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Following the WHO guidelines, the Hospice NZ Palliative Care Strategy and the NZ Cancer Society Palliative Care Strategy, Amitabha Hospice offers free practical home help and compassionate companionship from the time a person is diagnosed with a life-limiting illness or condition.

Our Caregivers offer free assistance by being:

• Able to give practical help where appropriate, like shopping, making light meals, giving massages and teaching relaxation and meditation techniques

• A reliever for the usual caregiver or family member, to enable them to have 'time out' to rest, work, do errands or just take a break.

• An extra pair of hands to assist the primary caregiver with hygiene and comfort cares.

• A companion and caring supporter for the those with progressive illness throughout Auckland.

• An interested friend with listening skills, enabling individuals to express their concerns and feelings and find their own meaning.
  

Why Volunteer?

The benefits are many:

• Your offer of time and support may be the deciding factor in enabling a family to keep their loved one at home where they can receive quality care in a familiar environment.

• You will become part of a friendly supportive team. You will increase your personal development.

• You will learn practical skills, that you can use to help your family and friends.

• You will meet some memorable and inspiring people.

• It's an easy way to give valuable help to your community and personally deeply rewarding.
  

• Eighteen years of age or over in good mental and physical health

• Strong motivation for wanting to work with Amitabha Hospice Service.

• Genuine altruistic caring for people

• Non-judgmental attitude and respect for others beliefs

• Good communication and listening skills

• Ability to respect confidences and privacy

• Willingness to learn, to accept guidance and to work as a team member

• Emotional maturity and an ability to cope with people experiencing suffering

• Dependability, flexibility, honesty

• A sense of humour

• A healthy attitude toward one's own mortality

• A source of spiritual & emotional support in one's life

• Can offer aprox 2-4 hrs per week (preferably weekdays) for at least 12 mths
  

The Training Course:

Volunteers are required to attend all sessions to cover the following topics:

• Philosophy and Organisation of AmitabhaHospice Service?

• Role of an Amitabha Caregiver

• Aged Adults

• Dying Process

• Loss and Grief

• Spiritual and Cultural Issues

• Basic Hygiene, Comfort Cares and Safety

• Cancer, AIDS and Other Life-Limiting Illnesses

• Medications and Symptom Control

• Legal Restrictions

• Situational Problems

• Support and Supervision

• Self-Care

Completion of the course does not oblige Amitabha Hospice Service to accept a participant as a Caregiver.

A Certificate of Completion is given after completion of the training course and 50 hrs of volunteer Caregiver service.

Here are some details about the course.
Acceptance is required before attendance.

VENUE, DATES AND TIME:
8 Monday evenings 7pm - 9pm ( 8 Oct - 26 Nov)
St Andrews Church Hall, 100 St Andrews Rd., Epsom

OR

8 Tuesday evenings 7pm - 9pm (9 Oct - 27 Nov)
at Unit J, Henry Rose Plc., Albany, North Shore City

Please choose the venue best for you.

Please arrive for a 7pm start.

What to wear: Please dress in warm comfortable casual clothing and bring slippers for Amitabha venue.

Course materials are provided to all participants free of charge, but we do appreciate donations (which are tax deductible) toward the cost of the program.

NON-Volunteer fee $250:
Those who want to take this course for their own benefit and not as a voluteer may attend for this fee or pay $30 per class.

How To Apply

You may apply on-line directly below

When we receive your application, you will be contacted for an interview before the next training course.

The training is free but we do appreciate donations (which are tax deductible) to cover the costs of this comprehensive training and for running this valuable service, Auckland wide.

On-line APPLICATION FORM.

If you have any questions about the course please call (09) 828-3321 or Email us