24 June, 2021

//Media Release

 

An annual scholarship to further educate and train patient-facing volunteers has been launched in memory of a dedicated North Shore volunteer who gave 29 years of her time to Hospice.

Announced today at the Harbour Hospice Volunteer Long Service Awards during National Volunteer Week, the Jan Vaughan Scholarship was set up by the Vaughan family to acknowledge Jan’s commitment and passion to volunteering, and further extend the skills of those working alongside patients in the community.

Jan died last year amidst Covid-19 lockdowns, which proved incredibly difficult for the family who weren’t able to hold a funeral. Her daughter Debbie said that when they emerged from their grief, they started to think about how best they could honour her memory.

Jan was involved in several Hospice fundraising initiatives and also volunteered as a community visitor, spending time visiting patients at home to keep them company or offer respite for their carers.

“After a family discussion we approached Harbour Hospice and together we came up with the idea of the Jan Vaughan Scholarship,” daughter Debbie Levy said.

“We wanted to do something that not only we would love, but that she would love too. She was always thinking about others and was very passionate and devoted to her volunteer work.”

Close to 1,400 volunteers donate their time, talents and energy to Harbour Hospice each year with over 250 of those working directly with patients in a variety of roles from driving patients to appointments, writing life stories to offering carer respite and companionship. These special people make up to 19% of its volunteer workforce.

This scholarship will enable Harbour Hospice to meet an increased demand for patient-facing volunteers, who are integral in supporting its clinical teams. “Volunteers out in the community with our patients and their families are incredibly valuable and play a huge role in the care and support that we provide,” Harbour Hospice Chief Executive, Jan Nichols, said. 

“We’re incredibly grateful to the Vaughan family for entrusting us with this great honour, and for enabling us to train more skilled individuals to support our nurses in new ways and ultimately improve quality of care for everyone in our community.”

The Jan Vaughan Scholarship will be available to all Harbour Hospice volunteers working in patient-facing roles, who identify a relevant training or personal development opportunity which will enhance their volunteer experience.

Applications for the first scholarship will open later this year.

Harbour Hospice are always on the lookout for new volunteers and encourage anyone interested in giving back to their community to visit our website to learn more.

 

Debbie Levy and dad with Jan Vaughan blog

Debbie Levy (Jan’s daughter) & Jan's husband Graham Vaughan holding a photo of Jan.