Between 1st July and 30th September, BCH Palliative Care has supported 38 clients - 27 of whom died at home. This is 71% for end of life care at home for this 3-month period. Hospice Foundation Geelong provided financial support to most of these patients.

Even when volunteers were unable to see patients face to face (due to covid restrictions) they were still able to interview patients via video call or phone, record these interviews and then have them transcribed. The volunteer then edits the interviews, adds photos and produces a wonderful life story booklet to the patient and family.

This service is not just about the very end, with the help of this equipment I am able to live more independently now.

To be able to get quick access to a frame after having a fall was amazing. I don’t know why I didn’t think I needed one as it might have stopped me falling. It’s been a great help and I am very privileged that you could loan the frame to me so easily.

I can now sit comfortably with the cushion loaned. Before this I was only able to lie in bed or stand which was exhausting.

In the past couple of weeks, we have had to draw on Jonathan’s (nurse) invaluable resources once again and he has been able to organise aids at home, allied health visits and also helped to organise a Palliative Care Respite stay for Ben at The McKellar Centre.

The Geelong community is so very fortunate to have access to the support provided by Hospice Foundation Geelong who have consistently demonstrated their capacity for innovation as they strive to ensure that the Geelong community has access to the very best of care.

The Barwon Health Palliative Care program has received phenomenal support from Hospice Foundation Geelong over a number of years including grants to ensure that patients and carers have no out of pocket expenses associated with choosing to receive their terminal care at home.

Hospice Foundation Geelong continues to play a central role in supporting people facing life limiting illnesses, along with their families, to achieve their goals of remaining at home for the duration of their illness including their terminal care.

Shannon’s bridge looks forward to a continued association with Hospice Foundation Geelong and are grateful for their support that helps us to care for more families.

The financial support from Hospice Foundation Geelong has seen some wonderful patient centred initiatives successfully implemented in Barwon Health Palliative Care Volunteer Service.

With the financial support provided by Hospice Foundation Geelong we have embarked on a 12-month project to improve the quality of life and death for LGBTIQ+ people across the region. This role is a first of its kind.

The Hospice Foundation Geelong, through its funding has made a profound difference to those individuals and families in the Barwon and South West Regions dealing with the devastating impact of a brain cancer diagnosis.

Because of this funding the Peace of Mind Foundation has been able to appoint a community based Brain Cancer Support Worker, the first of its kind...The Brain Cancer Support Worker assists families navigate the systems, makes sense of the processes and connects them to the resources and support they need. This is a game changer for those dealing with brain cancer thanks to the generous support of foresight of the Hospice Foundation Geelong."