Please do this before you die. I just did and it nearly killed me
This is a clear-cut case of “do as I say, not as I do”. Well, I’ve done it. I’ve fixed my embarrassing inability to come to terms with adulthood. Being face-to-face with death (not my own), I recognised I had to get my own life in order. This is the one thing you have to do before you die – and I finally did it.
Commonwealth Bank Recognises CHoB
Recently the Commonwealth Bank in Ocean Grove recognised Compassionate Hearts on the Bellarine (CHoB) as part of their National Community Donation Program. Ben Mumberson, manager of the Ocean Grove branch, presented a $500 cheque to the CHoB committee. Ben said that the bank’s three values of Care, Compassion and Courage aligned with the values of CHoB and his team wanted to show the bank’s local care by supporting CHoB.
CHoB is a Compassionate Community which means that at times of crisis and loss, care for one another is everyone’s responsibility and not a task solely for health and social services. The values that CHoB espouses and which the Commonwealth Bank supports are: Compassion through kindness, respect and dignity.
Living with a serious illness can be difficult for both client and carers. It can be hard to do ordinary, everyday things, for example think about appointments or juggle the demands of caring for a loved one. Compassionate Hearts on the Bellarine offers free social and practical support to people living with palliative care needs who wish to remain in their homes, and their carers. Support can continue on after the death of a loved one, remaining in touch with some carers who volunteers have come to know well.
CHoB is an incorporated not-for-profit organisation run entirely by volunteers, including the Committee of Management, and is dependent on grants and donations for financial support. Chairperson, Pauline Nunan, said ‘the group was delighted to be chosen for the bank’s recognition at the end of what was a very difficult year’. She added that CHoB hopes to be much more active in 2021 as the COVID situation improves and volunteers can move more freely to support those who are in need.
CHoB Launch
Compassionate Hearts on the Bellarine, (CHoB), is an independent and community oriented organisation offering help for people who are dying and their loved ones. We offer physical, emotional, social and practical support. Our wider aim is to bridge the physical and service gaps that exist on the Bellarine.
We had our very successful launch at the Uniting Church Queenscliff on Wednesday, November 27th with a big turnout of approximately 80 people. Pauline Nunan, our chairperson and one of the major driving forces behind CHoB, spoke beautifully about what this work means to her as well as her ongoing commitment.
International guest speaker and “Official Launching Person”, Lise Groof- Alberts, an expert on Grief and Loss, was an enlightening and extremely engaging speaker. She left many of us deeply affected with her deep and insightful presentation.
Thank you to both Charles and Kerrie at the Uniting Church for their generosity in hosting this event and for the nourishing BBQ. Many thanks and gratitude are also extended to the Bellarine Community Health Centre for their great support. Karen and Jordie, have been very instrumental in supporting our management committee and we are very grateful for your involvement.
We are pleased and excited about the great welcome we have received from the Palliative Care team and the Community Nurses, all willing to have us supporting their precious work in our community.
At this moment, our new volunteers have all received training and are ready to go. Here are some of the thoughts from some of our new volunteers. From Melissa: “I’ve met the most fantastic team of dedicated locals here with such a broad range of skills and experience. I’ve recognised that we can all help our neighbours have a more easeful path when dealing with life limiting illness”.
Local volunteer, Geoff, emphasises this by saying that the impact of small gestures by ordinary people can be far reaching. He highlights the impact of volunteering.
Jenny states what led her to volunteering: “Following my experience of caring for a friend at home in the latter stages of her life when I very much appreciated visits from friends who just listened, shared thoughts and relieved me for appointments and shopping, I decided to make myself available for others on the Bellarine, who might need such support, so I became a CHoB Volunteer.