Empowerment of HPC volunteering European Charter Jos Somsen (NL), Anne Goossensen (NL), Ros Scott (UK), Leena Pelttari (AU) Volunteering in Hospice and Palliative Care Vienna 9 April 2015
Development of EAPC White Paper Aim: provide more clarity on definition, roles, tasks 4 discussions on HPC volunteering: A. Defining HPC volunteering B. Typology C. Unique role D. Position & identity Search for consensus Delphi-inspired method 6 countries EAPC board approval Submit to scientific Journal
Consensus results Discussion A: Definition HPC volunteering: the time freely given by individuals, with no expectation of financial gain, within some form of organized structure other than the already existing social relations or familial ties, with the intention of improving the quality of life of adults and children with life-limiting conditions and their close ones (family and others).
Consensus results Discussion B: types D, B and C volunteers are relevant types HPC volunteering takes different forms: Community volunteering (both in direct patient care and in indirect, more facilitative roles), voluntary Board membership, and professionals working within their Discipline without receiving payment Discussion C: role Unique role of human approach, bridging gap between medical & family care Social & emotional support, reduce isolation Benefits: patients live longer, well-being of patients & families, satisfaction, volunteers benefit themselves
Consensus results Discussion D: identity & position Third culture in HPC, next to family & professional care HPC volunteering in care-focussed roles is best understood as a relational activity Its contribution and value lie in being there, providing time, attention and support Theoretical frames that address these qualities help to further develop volunteering For instance: theories on presence, Dasein, Asklepian tradition of Randall & Downie
Empowerment of HPC volunteering Towards a European Charter!
EAPC-Charter on HPC volunteering Why? Provide EAPC-wide support for advocates of HPC volunteering (including volunteer managers) Invite (national) hospice and palliative care organisations and services and individuals in each country to recognize the importance of volunteers and the unique role that they play Advice stakeholders about what they can do to support, advance and empower HPC volunteering
An EAPC-Charter on HPC volunteering Contents Definition of HPC volunteering Statements (from the white paper) about the character, roles and value of HPC volunteering Call upon different stakeholders to help promoting HPC volunteering: Which stakeholders are most relevant/influential? What should they do?
(HPC) Health care services What should they do? our first ideas recognition: volunteers have an important role to play in the total care of patients and families ensure availability of HPC volunteers to anyone who can benefit from it, in every setting leave room for the true value of being there provide adequate management (careful selection, effective training and support, matching and clear policy about their roles) promote volunteer empowerment, with volunteers becoming more self-confident in sharing their views, and with professionals specifically asking for and valuing the volunteers insights and opinions
Was sollten HPC Einrichtungen und Gesundheits- und Sozialeinrichtungen tun? unsere erste Ideen Sie sollen die Tatsache anerkennen, dass Ehrenamtliche in der umfassenden Betreuung von PatientInnen und ihren Familien eine wichtige Rolle spielen sicherstellen, dass ehrenamtliche HospizmitarbeiterInnen überall (in allen Settings) und für alle verfügbar sind, denen es hilfreich ist Raum schaffen für den wichtigen Wert Da-Sein Entsprechendes Management für Ehrenamtliche zur Verfügung stellen (sorgfältige Auswahl, ausreichende Ausbildung und Unterstützung, Personen und Aufgaben gut aufeinander abstimmen, klare Strategie und Rollenbeschreibung für den Einsatz von Ehrenamtlichen) Ermächtigung im Ehrenamt fördern: Ehrenamtliche werden selbstbewusster, indem sie ihre Ansichten mitteilen, und Hauptamtliche bewusst nach den Einsichten und Meinungen der Ehrenamtlichen fragen und ihre Wertschätzung dafür ausdrücken
(HPC) Health care services What should they do? your ideas
Health care policy makers and funds What should they do? our first ideas recognize volunteering as an important area of HPC research and development, and allocate resources accordingly involve HPC volunteers in all (policy-) decisionmaking concerning HPC at all levels (individual, organizational, societal) adequately fund HPC volunteering organizations and HPC volunteering within (otherwise professional) organizations
Was sollten Entscheidungsträger in der Sozial- und Gesundheitspolitik und Geldgeber tun? unsere erste Ideen Sie sollen Ehrenamt als ein wichtiges Forschungsthema im Bereich Hospiz und Palliative Care anerkennen und die entsprechenden Ressourcen zur Verfügung stellen Ehrenamtliche HospizmitarbeiterInnen sowohl auf der individuellen, organisationsbezogenen als auch gesellschaftlichen Ebene in alle Entscheidungsfindungen zu Hospiz und Palliative Care einbinden alle Organisationen, die Ehrenamtliche in Hospiz und Palliative Care einsetzen, sollen ausreichend finanziert werden
Health care policy makers and funds What should they do? your ideas
(Local and national) governments What should they do? your ideas
Other stakeholders What should they do? your ideas
Thank you for your attention and contribution! Jos Somsen (NL), Anne Goossensen (NL), Ros Scott (UK), Leena Pelttari (AU) Volunteering in Hospice and Palliative Care Vienna 9 April 2015