A group in Brandon, Man., needs more volunteers if it's to continue helping palliative care patients and their families.
Westman Hospice volunteers provide support in a number of ways, from sitting at patients' bedsides to picking up their prescriptions.
The services are provided free of charge.
But the group has been unable to help anyone in recent months, since its co-ordinator left in October and only three volunteers attended its recent annual general meeting.
Board chair Charles Cuerrier said Monday the group is now trying to raise its profile and find new members to provide what he said is a much-needed service in Brandon.
"Lots of times, families burn out after a protracted illness. They're there taking care of their loved ones ..
. and after a while they just burn right out, so they need a bit of relief," he said.
"We would go in there and sit with their loved ones while they go out shopping, go see a movie or even take a bubble bath if that's what they need to do, just to be able to relax.
"
An annual membership costs $20.
Cuerrier said that more than anything, Westman Hospice needs members to help it grow and give input on how to best meet the needs of the community.
"The hospital can only provide so much.
They have 10 to 12 beds, and there's over 50 palliative care patients in the city right now registered," he said.
"So in the homes and all that, they cannot provide the service that we do. Even in the hospital, they cannot provide someone to sit at the bedside 24/7.
We are able to do that."
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