Rita enjoys her role at Hospice
IN the non-denominational prayer room at North West Hospice volunteer Rita is taking some time out.
For four years, the Sligo woman has been giving up her free time to visit patients at the facility.
“I find it one of the most heartening, warm, sad and energising places to be. Everyone is full of kindness and goodness; in here we are open-hearted and concerned about other people,” she tells the Sligo Champion.
The beautiful stained glass windows make the tiny room seem bigger as Rita leafs through a spiritual book of poems and affirmations.
“One of our other volunteers collated this little book of spiritual messages,” she says. Hospice provides specialist training for the volunteers - Rita is a hospitality volunteer.
“I go to a resident and explain what my role is. I can run messages, read the newspaper or chat and do a little bit of hand massage. The person might prefer to be alone. Sometimes I play cards but the activity is just a way to hang out and have conversation, it’s about the company,” says Rita.
Occasionally Rita might sit with someone who is dying until family members arrive.
“It is a privilege to be able to hold their hand,” she says, “Sometimes I feel sad, particularly the next time I come in and they are no longer with me. You meet some really interesting, courageous people. It’s lovely when they share a little about their lives and stories. They are fascinating and inspiring.”