New research reveals the importance of involving volunteers to bridge the gap between hospice and community
Press release published
|
28% of respondents found volunteers brought positive community aspects to the hospice New research published today funded by Marie Curie and Dimbleby Cancer Care, carried out by the team at the Institute of Volunteering Research team and Lancaster University, has found that organisations should think more strategically about the role of volunteers in hospices. Hospice Volunteers: Bridging the gap to the community looks into how volunteers can support hospices in their work with the community. The research explored volunteer management in palliative care as well as a survey of volunteer managers in hospices, and interviews with 205 volunteers, staff, patients and their families from 11 different organisations. The initial survey of hospices found that 28% of respondents found volunteers brought positive community aspects to the hospice, including helping promote the services of the hospice to the local community and acting as ambassadors for fundraising. The findings of the report also highlighted the importance of creating a sense of normality within hospices for those staying there, bringing a change of conversation, taking the focus away from illness as well as often playing a central role in the development of new initiatives such as meeting spaces or community cafes. Debbie Hill, Head of Volunteering at Marie Curie, said: “Volunteers play a vital role in the success of Marie Curie and help us reach not just people living with a terminal illness but their family, loved ones and carers, too. From supporting our hospice staff in driving our day patients, to manning reception and helping families, our hospices rely on the generosity of volunteers. Our volunteers also play a pivotal role in promoting the organisation to a much wider community, engaging with new supporters and introducing them to the work we do. Robin Pritchard, Director at Dimbleby Cancer Care, said: “Dimbleby Cancer Care is widely acknowledged by specialists as a crucial source of charitable funding for research into cancer care. This piece of research reinforces the importance of volunteers within the cancer community and the role that they play in supporting cancer charities like ours. As care and support services are under increased funding pressures, volunteers have a key role to play to ensure that patients and their families can access the help and support they need.” For more press information on Dimbleby Cancer Care please contact: Sarah@BluebirdPR.co.uk or 07870210025 |
Notes to editors
About Dimbleby Cancer Care
Dimbleby Cancer Care (DCC) was set up in 1966 in memory of broadcaster Richard Dimbleby and is based at Guy’s and St Thomas’ hospitals in London. It provides practical and psychological support to people living with cancer and to their families and carers. With half the population likely to be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives, its mission is to raise the funds to meet this rapidly growing need. The charity has an Information Centre, Psychological Support Service, Complementary Care Service and Benefits Advice Service – all are now recognised throughout the NHS to be critically important but they can only be delivered with the support of charities like DCC. The charity will have its new home at the very heart of the new cancer centre at Guy’s hospital which opens in 2016. To ensure that the every possible need is identified DCC’s research fund also awards grants of up to £300,000 a year to find better ways of helping those living with cancer.www.dimblebycancercare.org
About Marie Curie
Marie Curie is the UK’s leading charity for people with any terminal illness. The charity helps people living with a terminal illness and their families make the most of the time they have together by delivering expert hands-on care, emotional support, research and guidance.
Marie Curie employs more than 2,700 nurses, doctors and other healthcare professionals, and with its nine hospices around the UK, is the largest provider of hospice beds outside the NHS.
For more information visit www.mariecurie.org.uk
Like us at www.facebook.com/mariecurieuk
Follow us on www.twitter.com/mariecurieuk
About the Institute for Volunteering Research (IVR)
IVR is a world-class research agency and part of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) connecting it to more than 11,000 members and key policy makers.
IVR undertakes practical and robust research to improve policy and practice, using innovative and up-to-date research tools including its own highly successful toolkits.
IVR works with a wide range of organisations, including the UN, the European Commission, DfID, Defra, the Department of Health, Amnesty International, the Samaritans, the National Trust, Marie Curie Cancer Care, Orange and BT. Hear what people say about our work.
IVR has an active partnership with Northumbria University, keeping us at the cutting edge of social research.
IVR disseminates its work through academic papers and thinkpieces, conferences, a quarterly newsletter and offers free reports and evaluations through its Evidence Bank, home to more than 250 items.
For more information see www.ivr.org.uk or follow https://twitter.com/ivrtweets
IVR is part of NCVO, Registered Charity Number: 225922
Updated