should I continue volunteering at a hospice?

[greenyblueyes]

Morning all,

I have come to AIBU as I know you will be straight with me. I work in Public Health and volunteer in a hospice.

I have been asked to continue by the hospice. This mainly includes helping with restocking ward supplies, meal orders and service at the moment but I may be asked to help with bed changing and personal care (with a trained member of staff, of course). It takes a bit of pressure off but not vital.

I stay over 2m away from patients so as not to need to use masks that nurses, Drs and carers could be using.

I don't drive so have to get a bus. not walking distance. live alone, work from home, not really seeing anyone else at all except in the street/ shop when I buy shopping or have a run at night. No symptoms and no underlying issues I am aware of.

I am very well aware of the importance of staying at home and govt policy. I just feel this in-person volunteering is a bit of an uncharted area. Yes, I am helping key workers but I am not a key worker.

Grateful if you could let me know what you think. I am well aware this is my area of work and I should know, it just doesn't seem clear so I thought I would run it past the mumsnet common sense test!

thanks.

I do a volunteering role with very vulnerable people (rough sleepers), I am continuing to do it.

You have to make your own decision, no one in my household has underlying health conditions, I am not working (furloughed) and I feel desperate sad for these people. I keep a safe distance and wear gloves .... it may be the wrong decision but few others are helping these folk (despite Government announcements that all rough sleepers will be housed). .

Hi OP, I am a nurse In a hospice. All but a couple of volunteers have now stopped going in, and I'm 100% supportive of this. I am terrified about going into work, and I'm getting paid. We have managed without the volunteers so far, all of us doing a few of the jobs they would usually do. There's talk of hospices becoming Clovid units for those that are dying to take pressure off the hospitals. Please look after yourself and stay at home x

Thanks Ragwort. Sounds like really valuable work you are doing. I am leaning towards the same, that this one is up to the volunteers really.

cross post with Diva, sorry. thank you that is really useful to hear. definitely noted and I will speak to the ward manager again.

Green, Diva has made a good point, the volunteering I do is not ‘official’ in that we are not supporting professionals... we are just helping people on the margins who are being ignored, or cannot engage with the statutory organisations. In a hospice there will be paid employees caring for the patients.
But there may still be a role for volunteers- ask your ward manager for her advice.

like you say, Diva, my work isn't essential, staff are managing and I could be bringing either Covid or other infections in unknowingly. I just don't want to do more harm than good.

There is a very strict visiting policy in place at the moment so that we are reducing the risk to both patients and staff. You mention you use public transport, so you are correct in thinking you could potentially do more harm than good. Thank you for your hard work though, we are now seeing how much the volunteers actually do. Hopefully you will be able to return soon.