Silver Chain celebrates south metro volunteers

7 June 2012

Silver Chain hosted a lunch on Tuesday 5 June at its new service centre in Jandakot, celebrating the commitment of a team of very dedicated hospice volunteers, and acknowledging the recipient of Silver Chain Volunteer of the Year Award (South).

Following a tour of the centre facilities, Volunteer Support Officer Ms Jane Boys praised the much-loved volunteers’ efforts individually, and welcomed two new volunteers to the team. She presented the award of Silver Chain Volunteer of the Year (South) to Mr Peter Ward.

Mr Ward has been volunteering with Silver Chain since 2006 and within the hospice unit since 2008. Over these years, he has given his time providing social support to clients living on their own, as well as transport assistance and respite for carers.

Although his main focus is visiting palliative care patients, Mr Ward also helps out with the service’s administration, Ms Boys explains. “This frees up time for the nurses to concentrate on their main role of being out in the community caring for their clients.

“Peter is always willing to do anything to help and always stays till the job is done, with some days staying an extra couple of hours longer than he expected.

“His friendly and pleasant demeanour has been an asset to the Silver Chain service. He’s been a ‘quiet achiever’ and is an invaluable part of our team.”

Mr Ward, from Baldivis, said the best thing about volunteering for Silver Chain was “the personal satisfaction that you’re helping other people, and the gratitude you get from them. “It’s about making a difference in people’s lives.”

The advice he’d give to anyone considering volunteering within the hospice care space is “If you can make a change for the better... do so. If you can’t, accept everything as it is. Go with the flow.”

If you’d like to volunteer for the hospice care unit, providing services such as social support, transport or respite, please contact Jane Boys - Silver Chain Volunteer Support Officer on 0409 373 279.