Training course for English-speaking volunteers at La Maison de Tara hospice

Year long programme starting on 28th September 2019 finishing June 2020

At La Maison de Tara volunteers are not an 'add on' but are at the very heart of our activities and without them we could not exist.

Volunteers receive over 100 hours of training in basic knowledge, practical knowhow and in 'how to be' with themselves, with residents and their families. Training is given by in-house and external people with deep experience of their subject. Probably learning how to be is of the greatest importance in volunteers' support of patient, family and friends. What matters most is how we are more than what we say or do.

Training structure:

The programme starts with modules on learning how to be: the capacity to care emotionally and spiritually for patients, their families and loved ones.

Further modules cover infectious disease, hygiene, patient transfer, manipulation of wheelchairs and beds, patient positioning and relaxing massage.

Finally there are modules on palliative care covering: illness, the ageing process, pain control, the death process, experiencing grief and ethics.

The training is open to anyone wishing to become a volunteer. It involves a lot of small group and pair exercises and profound discussions of topics that some participants can find difficult for many reasons. So instead of a pre-selection process, there is a self 'de-selection' during the course as some participants decide that to volunteer at Tara will require greater emotional, psychological or time resources than they have available at this particular stage of life.

For those who complete the course there are many personal rewards. As one volunteer wrote in her evaluation form: "It enabled me to deal with my personal issues and to deal better with life in general.

The training is free of charge although participants are asked to make a voluntary contribution towards its costs (administration, photocopies, tea/coffee, a small gift for visiting teachers, etc.) if they are able.

Further information

Further general information about volunteering at La Maison de Tara can be found on our website www.lamaisondetara.ch.

For specific questions or to sign up for the course please contact Sabine Murbach This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or phone 022 348 86 66.

Fondation La Maison de Tara
La Maison de Tara
79, chemin de la Montagne
1224 Chêne-Bougeries, Geneva

List of modules for english speaking training 2019-2020
1. Introduction Saturday September 28th from 10am to 4pm
2. Motivation Saturday October 26th from 10am to 4pm
3. Presence Saturday November 16th from 10am to 4pm
4. Death and Impermanence Saturday December 7th 10am to 4pm
5. Understanding and Transforming Suffering Saturday January 11th 10am to 4pm
6. Needs of Dying Saturday February 22nd 10am to 4pm
7. Compassion Saturday March 14 th 10am to 4pm
8. Families Saturday April 4th 10am to 4pm
9. Healing Relationships and Spirituality Saturday May 16th 10am to 4pm
10. Bereavement Saturday June 13th 10am to 4pm
11. Conclusion Saturday June 27th 12 :00 to 4pm