A CHARITY is calling for more people to get involved in doing some good deeds this month and beyond.

St Luke’s Hospice is holding a drop-in event on Monday so people can find out more about volunteering opportunities.

These include helping people stay independent at home, a Good Neighbours Scheme, which supports people with practical tasks such as shopping, and supporting carers.

Sharon Quinn, assistant director of Clinical Care and Development at St Luke’s said: “At our volunteer ‘drop in’ event people can gain information about several volunteer projects the hospice is running within the community which support individuals who are in need of practical help and company.”

“Just as our OneResponse and Hospice at Home services have been developed to meet patient’s wishes to stay in their homes by providing medical and personal support, St. Luke’s Hospice have also developed a number of volunteer projects to provide support and help people retain their independence at home’’.

Volunteering opportunties include:

The Hospice Good Neighbours scheme – supporting people who have an advanced illness with practical tasks e.g picking up some shopping or mowing the lawn and providing companionship.

Information and Wellbeing volunteers- being alongside someone with a new diagnosis of cancer and supporting them through their initial treatment, particularly important for people who may be socially isolated.

Carers Support volunteers – Providing support to a carer of someone who has an advanced illness such as sitting with the ill person while the carer pops out.

Following screening through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), all Hospice community volunteers receive full training and on-going support..

Sharon added: “The time commitment can be anything from an hour a month to four hours a week to carry out a crucial job or attend a regular clinic appointment with someone can make all the difference to people who have a life challenging illness.

“Our volunteers are always telling us what a rewarding experience it is for them to help someone in this way – the hours can be quite flexible and can be during the day, evening and at weekends so this type of volunteering can suit almost everyone.’’

The event takes place from 7pm at the Haywain in Fobbing.