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.
  

• Twenty five 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 Amitabha Hospice 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

• On the second and third evenings volunteers are introduced to the 16 Guidelines for Life. The 16 Guidelines are inspired by a seventh-century Tibetan text and promote mindfulness and wisdom providing a simple yet robust framework for reflecting on the ways we think, speak, act and find meaning in life. For more information about the 16G please visit: http://www.16guidelines.org/. Volunteers will need to purchase the 16G books and cards cost $25 - to be paid on the first class.

Ist Course

Wednesday 6 March to Wednesday 24 April 2013 (eight consecutive Wednesdays)
From 6:30 pm to 9 pm
44 Powell Street, Avondale

2nd Course

Wednesday 5 June to Wednesday 24 July 2013 (eight consecutive Wednesdays)
From 6:30 pm to 9 pm
44 Powell Street, Avondale

3rd Course

Wednesday 11 September to Wednesday 30 October 2013 (eight consecutive Wednesdays)
From 6:30 pm to 9 pm
44 Powell Street, Avondale

Details:

• All applicants must have a New Zealand Resident Permit or New Zealand Citizenship
• The volunteer training course & booklet are free of charge for those who can commit to volunteer for Amitabha Hospice for a year (taking holiday breaks & leaves), we do appreciate donations (which are tax deductible) toward the cost of the program. For those who want to do the training course but cannot commit to volunteer for a year there is a charge of $400.
• Please arrive in time for a 6:30 pm start.
• Because we cover a lot of material in a short time, attendance is required at every class in order to receive all the training needed to safely and competently give quality care.
• A clean Police Check is required for all applicants.
• Completion of the course does not oblige Amitabha Hospice Service to accept a participant as a Caregiver.
• A Certificate of Completion is given after the course
• Amitabha Hospice arranges identification badges for all volunteers, volunteers are asked to pay for their badge, cost $12.

Commitments Required

All volunteers are asked to sign an Agreement form that contains the following points:

• To travel to the suburbs stated in my Volunteer’s Details Form & to commit 2 to 4 hours per week to see my client for a year.
• To fill an on-line caregiver report after each visit to my patient or a monthly caregiver report before the end of each month acknowledging all visits for the month.
• To attend the bi-monthly Volunteer meetings, at least 3 per year and that I will do my best to attend the up-skill trainings & different courses that Amitabha Hospice organizes for its volunteers.
• To be available to answer calls & e-mails from my coordinator and to inform or supply to them any relevant or important information in regards to my Amitabha Hospice caregiver’s work.
• If after finishing my Caregiver Training course with Amitabha Hospice, and within 3 months, I am contacted by an Amitabha coordinator and I refuse to support a patient (except due unforeseen circumstances), I agree that I will reimburse Amitabha Hospice $400, for the Caregiver Training I received on the understanding that I would volunteer for a year. Further reimbursements apply if volunteers choose to resign before the completion of a year. There is no charge if the volunteer needs to quit due to unforseen circumstances e.g. death in family, pregnancy or illness of self or loved one, or transfer (including partner) to another city.
• To maintain strict confidentiality.

All volunteers are asked to sign a Police Check & supply a driver licence or passport to be photocopied (this is arranged by Amitabha Hospice)

How To Apply

Before you apply please make sure you read & understood all the above information.

On-line APPLICATION FORM.

When we receive your application, you will be contacted for an interview before the next training course.
If you have any questions about the course please call (09) 828-3321 or Email us