2021 marks a huge milestone for Arohanui Hospice – the In Patient Unit opened 30 years ago this month. While celebrations kick off in May, there will be events and celebrations throughout the year starting with an afternoon tea to thank past and present volunteers. Volunteers contribute significantly to Arohanui Hospice, contributing more than 58,000 hours each year.  Volunteer Board Chairperson Lorraine Vincent, is excited to be celebrating the past 30 years and is grateful for the valuable contribution that volunteers make.

“Volunteers are an amazing part of Arohanui Hospice community. We simply couldn’t do what we do without the support we receive from so many generous volunteers,” explains Lorraine.

Hospice staff, volunteers and supporters are also gearing up for National Hospice Awareness week which is running from the 17^th– 23^rd May, finishing the week with their annual street appeal on the 20^th and 21^st of May. This year volunteers will be collecting in Ashhurst, Dannevirke, Feilding, Foxton, Levin, Marton, Otaki, Pahiatua, Palmerston North, Taihape and Woodville for the two day street appeal. Chief Executive Clare Randall is hopeful to see the community get behind and support the annual National Hospice Awareness week and Arohanui Hospices’ two-day street appeal.

“Each year it is magnificent to see the generosity of our community supporting the annual National Hospice Awareness Week, as well as our Arohanui Hospice Street Appeal. I am hopeful that 2021 will be more successful than previous years as we celebrate our milestone 30^th anniversary,” says Clare.

Arohanui Hospice has plans to unveil a community mural within the central business district later in the year. This will mark 30 years of specialist palliative care within the community and be a visual symbolic representation of care, compassion and aroha: Aroha mai, aroha atu – Love received, love returned.

Money raised during Awareness Week will help to ensure the care provided by the Hospice remains free of charge to patients and families across the district.  This is only possible because of the generosity of the community – both in volunteering and in donations. Arohanui Hospice is only partially funded by the government through the DHB, with a $3 million shortfall this year to meet the day to day costs. The care provided by the team extends into the rural communities, and the vast majority of patients are cared for in their own homes. The services provided by Arohanui Hospice include support of the patient in the community, inpatient care, carer support, a pharmacist, a 24-hour advice service seven days a week, outpatient clinics, day procedures, an activities-based day programme, social work services, family support, pastoral support and bereavement support.