Call for Volunteers to join Voices4Care
A unique opportunity for citizens to shape the future of palliative care is being offered by All Ireland Institute of Hospice and Palliative Care (AIIHPC).
AIIHPC is looking for new volunteers to join Voices4Care, a forum of people with palliative care needs, their carers and citizens interested in improving palliative care across the island of Ireland.
Palliative care focusses on helping a person with a life-limiting illness to achieve the best quality of life as their illness progresses.
Set up in 2013, Voices4Care members have opportunities to shape palliative care education, research, policy and practice. Briege Lyttle, from Downpatrick, County Down, said she had gained a much better understanding of palliative care through being a member of Voices4Care. Briege said,
“I became involved in Voices4Care as I was a carer for my husband Joe. Following Joe’s death, I wanted to use my own experience to help others. I am now caring for my sister and through my involvement in Voices4Care, I have learned so much about palliative care. My whole perception of palliative care has changed. I would like to help to take away the fear and perception that palliative care is doom and gloom. Rather, it is a practical and common-sense approach to provide everyone with the best quality of life when they are facing serious illness. Through being involved in Voices4Care, I have felt more comfortable to have conversations with my sister and for us to be open about her wishes. As well as the personal impact on my family, I have also been able to bring a carer’s view to inform a pharmacy group trying to improve medicines management for people with palliative care needs. I have really valued being part of Voices4Care and would encourage other people to get involved.”
Brendan O’Hara, AIIHPC Programme Manager, said,
“We would like to hear from people with palliative care needs, their carers, and citizens who want to be part of something that can make a real difference in palliative care. AIIHPC has 26 partners including a range of hospices, health and social care organisations and universities on the island of Ireland. Voices4Care members have meaningful opportunities to influence and shape palliative care through participation in service user/carer groups and consultation processes. As part of the palliative care programme in Northern Ireland – Palliative Care in Partnership – their voice is central to the design and development of palliative care, as the service user and carer group in this structure. The service user and carer voice is also informing and influencing palliative care in the Republic of Ireland.”
Further information about joining Voices4Care is available at www.aiihpc.org. People interested in getting involved are asked to get in touch with AIIHPC and to complete an expression of interest form by Thursday, 28 February. To find out more contact Brendan O’Hara at bohara@aiihpc.org or call 00353 (0) 1 4912948.
ENDS
For media enquiries or to request an interview please contact Aileen Gaskin 00353 87 7724 717 or aileen@cclinic.ie