Info points set up for hospice
A band of volunteers are heading into communities across north east Wales and the Shropshire borderlands to inform and support patients and loved ones of those who have life-limiting illnesses.
Nightingale House Hospice has upskilled and trained a number of volunteers to go out into the community offering information and support about the services it has on offer.
Info points are being set up to help those who have been diagnosed with a life-limiting condition including cancer, heart failure and Motor Neurone Disease, and tell them more about how they can be cared for by the hospice and the services available to them.
All the services at Wrexham-based Nightingale House aim to support people either during an extremely uncertain time, during and after treatment or when there are no more treatments available.
Help, support and therapies are available for when life becomes more difficult and less enjoyable.
Volunteer Manager Jo Kearns said: “People are generally referred to the hospice by their key health care professional such as their Specialist Nurse or GP but patients or their loved ones can also make a direct referral to us just by picking up the phone and these direct calls often result in them accessing our wide range of services including our in-patient unit.”
Nightingale House Info Point Volunteer, Kevin Jones said: This opportunity for us to go out into the community and tell people about the amazing services that can help them better manage their illness or support them and their carers’ in other ways, such as spiritual, emotional or psychological support is so important.
“We want to go out there and tell people that the hospice is not just a place where you go to die but a vibrant, caring and supportive environment where the team throw their arms around you and give you the support you need."
The Info Points will be moving around the catchment area as new locations are identified over the coming months. Anyone who has a public space and thinks it would be a great place for volunteers to locate for a couple of hours each month should get in touch with Jo Kearns, Volunteer Manager, Nightingale House Hospice on 01978 316800.
