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Support Life Champions
Are you passionate about supporting people in your local community? Do you believe that everyone living with or affected by a life limiting illness deserves the very best care? Care which helps to improve their quality of life in the ways that matter most to them? If your answer is ‘yes’ then we want you to join our Support Life Champions programme!
When we meet patients and their families for the first time, we often hear the same thing: “I wish I’d known how The Kirkwood could have helped us sooner.”
We’ve heard it time and time again for over 36 years – ever since The Kirkwood began providing care for patients and families in Kirklees. Many local people believe that The Kirkwood is just a building in Dalton, a place where people go at the very end of their lives. They don’t realise that we are here to help anyone affected by any life limiting illness at any time from diagnosis. Or that we offer a wide range of services, ranging from community wellbeing sessions and specialist nursing care in people’s own homes to 24-hour care on our In-Patient Unit and bereavement support for patients and those who care about them.
"Becoming a Support Life Champion has been an absolute pleasure so far. It is an exciting role with so much scope and opportunities."
Despite our efforts over many years, myths about the care available to local people continue to endure – but our Support Life Champions are helping us to change that. And you can help us too!
What is a Support Life Champion?
Our Support Life Champions help to raise awareness about The Kirkwood within their workplaces, communities and friendship groups. They are advocates for our cause, spreading the word about our charity and helping people to understand the wide range of services we offer at any stage of a life limiting illness.
What does a Support Life Champion do?
Being a Support Life Champion is a voluntary role, and it doesn’t have to be time consuming. Our Champions support us by raising the profile of The Kirkwood wherever they see an opportunity – increasing awareness, connecting people in need to our services and putting us forward for fundraising opportunities – whether at work or in their personal lives. Support Life Champions can also choose to get involved with volunteering or campaigning for The Kirkwood!
Who can be a Support Life Champion?
Everyone can sign up to be a Support Life Champion. We encourage anyone who wants to help to join us. When you become a Support Life Champion, we’ll help you to understand more about how The Kirkwood care for people living with life limiting illnesses and give you tools to spread the message in your workplace or local community. And we’ll show you how to signpost those in need to our services too, so that everyone can get the care they deserve.
"Spreading awareness of The Kirkwood is so important as so many can benefit from the outstanding support and kindness offered – not only the hospice itself but also the care provided in patient's homes, the support for carers and family members, the provision of counselling services and well-being sessions, as well as advice being available 24/7."
Need clinical advice?
Call our advice line on:
01484 557910
24 hrs a day