News 8
Ashburton Guardian
www.guardianonline.co.nz
Saturday, November 26, 2016
■ HOSPICE MID CANTERBURY
A helping hand for hospice By Sue NewmaN
Sue.n@theguardian.co.nz
Thanks to a Good in the Hood project run by Z service stations, volunteers working with Hospice Mid Canterbury now have a larger range of recreational resources and activities to use with their clients. The project raised more than $1300 for the community organisation and this has been used to buy a range of games and puzzles that can be used to entertain people with life-limiting illnesses. Volunteers spend time with clients to provide carers with a break but that time is also invaluable for the clients, creating an opportunity to expand their activities and their contacts, said hospice trustee Jane Wright. For families caring for someone with a life-limiting illness, providing care could become the core of their relationship. When a volunteer provided carers with a break, it also created an opportunity for the ill person to talk to someone different and often conversations were started and memories revived when games were played, she said. Hospice Mid Canterbury was steadily growing its network as the
community became aware of the services it could offer, but the biggest stumbling block for many people was always accepting that they needed help, Wright said. “We’re always keen to hear from people who want help in any capacity; it’s important people know that it’s okay to ask for help.” Volunteer Marg Watson said the role was an immensely rewarding one and was as much about ensuring social contact was maintained and another layer of emotional help provided as it was in giving carers a break. Hospice Mid Canterbury is a community-based service focused on enhancing the quality of life for all those in Mid Canterbury dealing with life-limiting illness and bereavement. It provides support, education and therapies for people with life-limiting illnesses, their families and carers. As well as providing volunteers for support such as companionship and providing carers with a break, the core services it offers are counselling, bereavement support, writing life stories, massage, reiki therapy, and books for adults and children dealing with illness, the end of life journey and grief.
On Sunday 27 November, from 12 noon to 2 pm, Ashburton Hospital is hosting a public open day, giving you the chance to see our new facilities for acute care. The entrance to the new Acute Assessment Unit is next to the main hospital entrance. Outdoor shoes will need to be removed before you enter.
Z Ashburton manager Jimmy Tweddle (right) hands over a range of games and puzzles bought with funds raised through the Good in the Hood project to Marg Watson and Dale Earnshaw, volunteers for Hospice Mid Canterbury. PHOTO AMANDA KONYN 181116-AK-051
Sunday, 27 November 2016 12 noon to 2 pm Ashburton Hospital, Elizabeth Street, Ashburton
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