Busselton Hospice Care receives $24,000 in Rio Tinto funding to support palliative care volunteer training

Palliative care services in Busselton have received a boost thanks to a new funding agreement. Busselton Hospice Care’s volunteer co-ordination service will benefit from $24,000 as part of a three-year agreement with Rio Tinto. The partnership aims to improve palliative care services for those living in the South West by funding induction and training for those wanting to assist the organisation. The volunteers provide emotional, social, spiritual, and practical support to those nearing the end of their lives, as well as their carers, family and friends. All those seeking to join the program are required to undertake a five-day training program before joining a shift team working in the hospice unit. Busselton Hospice Care chief executive James Jarvis said he was overwhelmed by the generosity to help continue the palliative care volunteer service. “Our volunteers form an integral part of the end-of-life team,” he said. “As well as normalising death, dying and bereavement, they help to mobilise local support networks, and help the community support each other during a difficult time.” Rio Tinto communities vice president Cecile Thaxter recently visited the hospice to meet with volunteers and observe an induction session in progress. “This partnership acknowledges the importance of quality end-of-life care and the powerful role volunteers play in delivering practical palliative care outcomes to vulnerable community members,” she said.