Volunteer Carer Support and Training

The principal activity of Make Today Count is to provide emotional support for people with life-threatening disease so that an enhancement of their quality of life can be obtained, together with the support and care of that person's primary carer and other family members. Much of this activity is carried out by trained volunteer carers who are allocated clients following assessment by the Co-ordinator and the Community Outreach Worker.

Make Today Count offers a training program for those who are interested in becoming a palliative care volunteer. The training received by the volunteers is conducted at the Dudley Road centre over a period of 7 weeks.
Upon completion of the course, participants are assessed individually prior to becoming carers. They are then allocated to care for those clients and their families who have sought the help of Make Today Count.

Typically, a carer is acquainted with the particular needs of the client by the Co-ordinator or the Community Outreach Worker, and is able to provide a range of support activities, working in liaison with any visiting health care providers. The main role of a carer is simply to listen, but can include shopping, transport to and from treatment appointments, referral to other services or providing respite for the primary carer, by allowing them some personal time, free from the need to be constantly on hand.

Patient advocacy is also a normal function of Make Today Count carers.

Volunteer carers are supported by monthly support meetings, and all carers are encouraged to attend these meetings whenever possible.