Description
In the Warsaw Oncology Centre are treated patients from entire Poland whose relatives are not able to accompany them throughout the period of diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation. Project objective is to empower vulnerable groups by promoting hospital volunteering in Warsaw oncology centers as an effective way to support oncology and hematology patients in their struggle with the disease. The project will be organized in partnership with “Glad you are here" Foundation and “There and Back" Foundation. The project is targeted at individuals who want to become hospital volunteers (200 people) in order to help adult oncology patients treated in Warsaw oncology centers. Volunteers will be developed with the use of training, volunteer call centre, and guides prepared jointly by the project promoter and the partners. Volunteers will then hold regular shifts in hospitals so as to improve the quality of patients' lives and support families in their day-to-day care over their loved ones.
Summary of project results
"According to the Polish National Cancer Registry, the malignant neoplasm incidence in Poland has more than doubled over the recent three decades, reaching in excess of 140,500 cases in 2010. Patients from throughout Poland are treated at the Maria Skłodowska-Curie Memorial Cancer Centre in Warsaw, their next of kin unable to assist them throughout the diagnostics, treatment, and recovery process. Hospital capacity in terms of social worker and psychological support is limited. Few people apply for hospital volunteer work, and the churn rate in the volunteer community is high for reasons of tremendous psychological hardship. The purpose of the project was to promote hospital volunteer work as an efficient method of assisting cancer patients in Warsaw facilities. Volunteers expanded their knowledge of different aspects of living with neoplasm to improve their self-sufficiency and functionality in difficult situations. New volunteers were recruited, patients offered daily assistance. One hundred and twenty new volunteers were recruited and duly trained as part of the project (3 series of 14 training sessions for a total of 209 participants). The volunteer support system included a helpline (manned by legal, psycho-oncology, and social pedagogics experts) and an e-learning platform, as well as an integration meeting and a “Helping Wisely"" conference followed up with a manual (circulation: 4,500 copies) for care givers to cancer patients. Volunteer-distributed patient manuals were published as well (60,000 copies in total, 12 publications of the “Conquering Cancer Together"" series). The project benefitted volunteers and patients of the Maria Skłodowska-Curie Memorial Cancer Centre. The project was implemented in partnership with two organisations. One recruited volunteers, organised 9 specialist training sessions per cycle, and drafted a volunteer textbook, the other handled patient and volunteer manual publishing."
Summary of bilateral results