Malcolm, one of our valued volunteer drivers
Volunteers have always been a very important part of Isabel Hospice. They help to provide the highest standard of care and support for the patients.

We are currently looking for more men! Men make up about half of hospice patients but only about 10% of volunteers. The most popular role chosen by male volunteers is as a driver, bringing patients to one of our Day Hospices and taking them home. Others help alongside nursing saff at the In-Patient Unit or within our Day Hospice. We would like more men to share in the caring and support for fellow residents of our area. If you are interested, give me a call to find out more. Thank you - Jane Hollowday, Volunteer Co-ordinator, 01707 382500.

Would You Like To Join Us?

We rely heavily on volunteers to provide our service. We are fortunate to have over 900 volunteers who help us in many different ways but we are always in need of more.

Volunteers help us in so many different ways and we can utilise almost anything you have to offer. Driving, gardening, cake making, working with patients, working with patients' families, general office work, becoming part of a local fundraising group, working in one of our local shops, helping in our warehouse, the list is endless. If you would like further information on how you can become involved call Jane Hollowday on 01707 382500.

We Provide Training Where Necessary

Volunteers who want to work with Isabel Hospice, helping to care for patients and their families, alongside the professional staff, complete a short training course. The course is designed to equip volunteers with the basic skills needed to begin helping with our work.

Prospective volunteers will already have many of the skills and qualities necessary, not least a friendly, kind and caring nature and a willingness to help. During the course the following topics are covered:

The Ethos and Philosophy of Hospice Care

The Holistic Approach to Caring for Patients

What do we mean by Specialist Palliative Care?

Handling and Moving Skills

Basic Food Handling and Hygiene

Anticipatory Grief and Loss

Bereavement

Spiritual and Self Care

How volunteers interact with patients and families

After completing the course Volunteers receive training at the Day Hospice or In-patient Hospice.

Areas of Volunteering After The Training
Many of our voluntary staff undertake roles in more than one area.

After the training Volunteers may decide to work at the Day Hospice as part of a team; at the In-patient Hospice on reception or helping care for patients, in the Community alongside our team of Nurse Specialists, or as drivers assisting with Patient Transport. The experience of giving time to Isabel Hospice is a very rewarding one in whatever area of work is chosen.

How Often Is The Training Course Run?
The course is run twice a year in the Spring and Autumn.

CONTACT US

For more information about volunteering please contact Jane Hollowday on tel 01707 382500.

SPEAKERS FOR GROUP EVENTS

If you are running an event and would like to have a speaker from Isabel Hospice attending at any point, please get in contact with Fundraising on 01707 382500. We would be delighted to arrange one for you.

URGENT CALL FOR VOLUNTEER COMPLEMENTARY THERAPISTS

Volunteer Complementary Therapists - we need you !

Thanks to our volunteer therapists, Isabel Hospice offers a range of complementary therapies to patients, carers and bereaved clients. We are currently looking for more people to join in this extremely rewarding field of local voluntary work.

Therapies offered are Massage, Aromatherapy, Reflexology, gentle Indian Head Massage, Reiki, Energy Channelling and Relaxation/Visualisation.

This service is currently available at our Day Hospice and In-Patient Unit in Welwyn Garden City, satellite day hospices at Bishop's Stortford, Waltham Cross and Hoddesdon and in the Community.

Do find out more by calling Karina Hames or Janice Penman on 01707 - 334222

For an application pack phone Jane Hollowday or Glynis Cracknell on 01707 - 382516 or 382517.