Hospice training help

By Sarah Thompson
FERNLEA House has received a $4000 government grant that will assist the hospice in running its own volunteer training program.
Fernlea House manager Helen Pike is excited about the grant which will pay for the next volunteer workshop in July.
“We are really excited that we received $4000 to assist with training new employees,” Ms Pike said.
Monbulk MP James Merlino has welcomed the funding saying that the grant will enable volunteers to be trained with necessary skills to assist within the palliative care home.
“The training program funded by this grant will allow new volunteers to take part in a wide range of the programs and activities that are run at the hospice,” he said.
Gembrook MP Tammy Lobato has also welcomed the funding and hopes the money will help to recruit new volunteers.
“It is important that a range of people with diverse backgrounds are involved in volunteering in the community and this grant will enable the volunteer base to grow,” Ms Lobato said.
Minister for Victorian Communities John Thwaites said that the Volunteer Small Grants program has already helped more then 550 local community organisations get new volunteers.
“The aim is to help broaden volunteering options and create new volunteering opportunities for people of all ages, genders, abilities and backgrounds.
“In Victoria, up to one million volunteers, or one third of the state’s adult population, provide around $10 billion worth of unpaid services each year,” Mr Thwaites said.