Empowered Living Team Rehabilitation Volunteers

The project was developed in response to a recognised need for providing greater individualised support to patients to help adopt self-management behaviours and embed these with confidence into their daily lives. Due to limited allied health professional resource to provide this level of support in the community setting, the team at St Joseph’s developed an innovative model to utilise volunteers in this role.

Volunteers undergo a robust recruitment and screening process. They complete three days of training delivered by a multidisciplinary team which includes communication skills, boundaries to role, recognising change in patients’ condition and responding appropriately. Practical rehabilitative approaches include safe support of mobility and non-pharmacological symptom management strategies.

Patients referred to the service are each assessed by a physiotherapist who formulates an Empowerment Plan for them focused around their personal goals. ELT volunteers work specifically to support this plan, working in partnership with patients on a weekly basis for eight weeks.

They have access to telephone support from a palliative care physiotherapist and ELT Facilitator at all times and receive monthly group supervision.