News

Western Sydney Supportive Care Volunteer Service is one of the busiest in Sydney. Volunteers offer support from five locations including Mt Druitt, Blacktown, Westmead, and Auburn Hospitals, The Hills District, and in the community.

New Volunteer Coordinator, Michael Turner, comes to the role with a wide variety of experience. His background includes nursing, being a Police Officer, and a trainer in Fire Emergency & Evacuation and First Aid. Most recently, he has been working in the Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District a hospital chaplain for close to eight years.

Michael tells us his chaplain role certainly fine-tuned his ability to connect with others, especially those in crisis or grieving.

‘The role taught me more about myself actually, as being a chaplain and connecting with others in their times of crisis, inevitably brings up our own wounds and triggers. I will forever be grateful for the opportunity that I was afforded by working as a hospital chaplain, and the relationships that have grown from this amazing ministry.”

He is most looking forward to working alongside and supporting a compassionate team of volunteers who are already making a meaningful impact on the lives of patients and their families.

“I look forward to getting to know these generous people, to learn from them, and to play my part in this amazing service offered throughout the WSLHD.”

Michael begins at Western Sydney on Monday, fortuitously in time to join our NSW Network of Managers of Palliative Care Volunteers December meeting and Christmas lunch in just a few weeks.

“I certainly come with more questions than answers, and it’s wonderful to have already discovered such a supportive and welcoming network of Palliative Care Volunteer Managers. It certainly appears that there are many resources, and many experienced managers who are willing to support a ‘newbie’ like me.”

Welcome, Michael, we wish you all the best in your new role.