Grant boost for health helpers

A CRANBOURNE not-for-profit health care service has been awarded a $1900 grant to help attract more volunteers.
Cranbourne MP Jude Perera awarded a certificate to South East Palliative Care (SEPC) manager of volunteers Sara Andrews on Monday.
The State Government grant will go towards recruiting new volunteers, particularly from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, to help support a wider range of clients.
SEPC provides specialised health care for people in Casey, Cardinia and Greater Dandenong who have a life-limiting illness and their families throughout the course of the illness and beyond.
SEPC’s team of nurses, doctors, counsellors, welfare, music therapy and pastoral staff work closely with a dedicated group of trained volunteers.
Ms Andrews said the centre was grateful for the support of volunteers.
“They come from all walks of life and fill a real need in our organisation,” she said.
Ms Andrews said SEPC would use the funds to attract and train new volunteers to work closely with their bereavement counsellors to aid families who had lost a loved one.
“We would be lost without our volunteers. They fulfil so many important functions to help us in our work with and for our clients and obtain so much satisfaction out of what they do,” she said.
“We welcome any inquiries from people interested in being a part of our great team making a real difference at a difficult time in people’s lives.”
Call Ms Andrews on 5991 1300 or visit www.sepallcare.gov.au.