Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice’s home support volunteer programme was established in 2008 to help families cope with the demands of providing constant care

Meena Vencatasawmy, a home support volunteer with Noah's Ark — Meena Vencatasawmy, a home support volunteer with Noah’s Ark

Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice is appealing for new home support volunteers in Enfield.

Volunteering is central to Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice, which is based in Barnet, and the charity says it is a “hugely rewarding experience and one that enables volunteers to develop their knowledge and skills”.

Volunteers can sign up for a few hours or a couple of days per week depending on how much time they have available.

Noah’s Ark’s home support volunteer programme was established in 2008 to help families cope with the demands of providing constant care. Home support volunteers provide a range of practical and social support to the families of children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions. This ranges from helping siblings with their homework and playing games to simply being a spare pair of hands to help with household jobs like cleaning and gardening.

Becoming a home support volunteer provides a “rewarding opportunity” to directly support children who are seriously unwell.

Meena Vencatasawmy, from Enfield, is one of Noah’s Ark’s existing home support volunteers. She said of her experience: “My brother, Pramod, volunteered for Noah’s Ark a few years ago. He sadly died during Covid, and I felt I wanted to continue the connection that he had started.

“I have a background in nursing and midwifery, and I wanted to do something related to healthcare, but that was more community focused. I love the interaction I have with the child I volunteer with, and I know that we both look forward to seeing each other. When they thank me for coming, I feel like I should be thanking them as I enjoy it so much!”

Sophie Andrews OBE, chief executive of Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice, added: “Everyone who volunteers for Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice has a positive impact, but home support volunteers really do make a huge difference to the children and families we support. The lives of these families are not easy and to have someone to ease the pressure by offering practical and social support in their home is invaluable.”

More information on the roles available and the application process for becoming a volunteer with Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice can be found here:
Call 020 8449 8877
Email [email protected]
Visit noahsarkhospice.org.uk/support-us/volunteering

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