Author
- Jen Walsh1
- Barwon Health1
2018
Excerpt
Jen Walsh has been the Volunteer Coordinator with Barwon Health Palliative Care for over four years. She oversees a dynamic team of 75 volunteers who work across the inpatient and community settings. The volunteers support a wide variety of programs including Companionship, Respite, Massage, Life Stories, Dignity Therapy, Bereavement Support, Backyard Blitz* and other practical support roles. Before working in Palliative Care Jen managed volunteers in the field of disaster response and emergency management. Her volunteer management career spans nearly 15 years. She is passionate about driving a culture of self care within the volunteer team.
*Use of this TM name is authorised by CTC Productions Ltd
Abstract
Author: Jen Walsh
The Life Stories program has grown greatly at Barwon Health over the last few years. It started as a traditional biography program and has morphed to include a variety of “outside the square” approaches and results. Some examples include stories captured by bereaved carers after the death of the patient, stories about beloved pets, letters to grandchildren, and picture books.
As a volunteer program, it has become embedded within the staff team and it is common practice for a volunteer to do a joint visit with a clinical staff member to introduce the program. Additionally, the Life Stories Program has been expanded to provide opportunities for companionship, respite, and bereavement support. Volunteers place equal value in the process of storytelling and the production of a final product. By keeping the patient at the centre of the decision making we believe there are high quality outcomes for the patient and their family.
*Use of this TM name is authorised by CTC Productions Ltd
Abstract
Author: Jen Walsh
The Life Stories program has grown greatly at Barwon Health over the last few years. It started as a traditional biography program and has morphed to include a variety of “outside the square” approaches and results. Some examples include stories captured by bereaved carers after the death of the patient, stories about beloved pets, letters to grandchildren, and picture books.
As a volunteer program, it has become embedded within the staff team and it is common practice for a volunteer to do a joint visit with a clinical staff member to introduce the program. Additionally, the Life Stories Program has been expanded to provide opportunities for companionship, respite, and bereavement support. Volunteers place equal value in the process of storytelling and the production of a final product. By keeping the patient at the centre of the decision making we believe there are high quality outcomes for the patient and their family.