JOIN THE CLUB: Cheering up the house

A QUILT filled with handprints and personal references on the wall of the lounge area at Geelong’s Anam Cara House encapsulates the spirit of the place.
Each guest at Anam Cara receives a square on the quilt, letting them know both they and their life story are important.
Anam Cara House Geelong is a community service providing care for people with life-limiting illnesses and also provides respite for carers.
“Everyone becomes a member of the Anam Cara family,” volunteer Erika said.
“It’s a privilege to be involved in people’s lives at a time like that.”
And while they are totally sincere in their attitude, it doesn’t mean the Anam Cara lounge is a solemn place. Far from it.
The group of volunteers often holds theme days, such as portraying timeless Scots poet Robbie Burns complete with kilt. Fun and laughter are part of making each day worthwhile.
“Families realise the importance of the quilt afterwards,” Erika observed.
“Often they will discover some little part of a loved one’s life that they had not known or had overlooked.”
Erika was one of the founding members of Anam Cara’s volunteer group after retiring from her nursing career but feeling she still had something to offer.
“I think I still have something to give and I believe in what we have here. We’ve received so much support in setting it up, so it has touched a lot of other people as well.”
Fellow volunteer Marg was previously involved in a hospice at Bendigo before moving to Geelong and looking for a way to stay involved.
“Some people say to me that it must be depressing but it’s not,” Marg said.
“They ask me how I can work in this area but we try to make it a happy time and make people comfortable.
“It’s a different experience to hospital; it’s much more homely and peaceful.”
Volunteer Eileen is also a retired nurse who survived breast cancer and wanted to be involved.
“You don’t have to have a nursing background, though,” Eileen emphasised.
“There are lots of other things to do, in the office, laundry, the op shop, a whole range of activities.”
The 120 string volunteer group had become tightly knit, like a family, Erika said.
“Most of us join by word of mouth and sometimes volunteers come in off the street but we can always use more help,” she smiled.
“We occasionally go out and talk to clubs or get publicity but mostly it’s through the friends and family network.
“We do our own fund-raising, like holding an art show and a trivia night. We also hold an end-of-year break-up, complete with a Sister Act-style talent show.
“There’s a monthly friendship group where volunteers just go out and socialise, perhaps over dinner, and a book club.
“Anam Cara is a 24-hour operation, so there are always volunteers needed around the place.”
More information on volunteering for Anam Cara is available by phoning volunteer coordinators Anne Dance or Sherilyn Drew on 5222 5831.