A new collaboration between Marie Curie and Helpforce on end of life care volunteers

 

05 February 2020
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It is so important that people approaching the end of life in hospital and their families are fully supported during what can often be a bewildering and lonely experience.

Anita Hayes, Head of Learning and Workforce

Today the charity Marie Curie announces a new collaboration with Helpforce, a charity inspiring NHS Trusts to work with more volunteers in innovative roles.

With funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, The Peter Sowerby Foundation, the Welsh Government, and Marie Curie they are launching seven innovative projects across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, which will mean more end of life care volunteers working in hospitals and in the community to provide much needed extra support to patients, families and friends, and staff.

Commenting in response, Anita Hayes, Head of Learning and Workforce at Hospice UK, said:

“It is so important that people approaching the end of life in hospital and their families are fully supported during what can often be a bewildering and lonely experience.

“Volunteers can make a big difference to the care that dying people receive in hospital, whether providing a listening ear or just spending time being with someone approaching the end of life.

“The vital contribution of volunteers is something the hospice movement has long recognised. More than 125,000 volunteers give their time to support people in hospices across the UK.

“A big part of improving the care experience of dying people and their families is about our society being more open to talking about dying. Hospice UK’s Dying Matters campaign is working to make a difference and help change public attitudes towards this.

Notes to editors

  • Hospice UK is the national charity for hospice and palliative care. It works to ensure all adults and children living with a terminal or life-shortening illness receive the care and support they need, when they need it.
  • Hospice UK supports more than 200 hospices across the UK which care for over 200,000 adults and children every year
  • For further information about hospice care visit our website www.hospiceuk.org or follow us on Twitter @hospiceuk
  • Get all the latest news from the hospice and palliative care sector, as well as patient stories, on ehospice UK at: www.ehospice.com/uk