Blue Mountains Palliative Support Service is a free volunteer service that provides care and support for people who have a life limiting illness and their carers and family. volunteers provide support at home or local hospitals, subject to the availability of volunteers.

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This service is provided free of charge to Blue Mountains and Lithgow residents with a life limiting illness.  Referrals can be made to us by community nurses, general practitioners and community services. We also accept referrals from family and carers and self referrals. All persons being referred must be under the care of a medical practitioner who will provide clinical governance.

Our volunteers are special people carefully selected and trained.  Volunteers undergo extensive training through NSW Health in this specialist field. Their personal qualities include knowledge and understanding of palliative care issues, sensitivity, empathy and the willingness to be there for people with life-limiting illnesses and their family.  They are of all ages and come from a variety of backgrounds.

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Our Volunteers give their time freely, for up to 4 hours per week, to provide a caring and non-judgmental presence, while at the same time being bound by professional ethics and confidentiality. They can offer both practical and emotional support. 

A volunteer can help in many ways including: 
-  offering companionship
-  providing respite and support for carers
-  reading or writing letters and assisting with recreation and hobbies
-  providing help with minor practical tasks in the home
-  running errands such as paying bills or exchanging library books
-  providing occasional transport and company on short outings
-  providing information and resources
-  providing bereavement support

To find out more about how our Palliative Support Service can help you or someone you know, please contact the Palliative Care Volunteer Coordinator via the web form below. 

Volunteering plays an invaluable role in our community and can be a highly rewarding. If you would like to consider volunteering with our Palliative Support Service, please contact us to find out about the recruitment and training process.