Volunteering at a sibling support day
Creating artwork at a sibling support day
The festive season is a particularly busy time of year for most families and this is no different for some of the families who visit Naomi House children’s hospice. However this Christmas I found time in my busy December schedule to volunteer with Naomi House and find out some the different things they are doing to help families this Christmas.
One of the events that Naomi House arranged this Christmas was a sibling support event for the brothers and sisters who currently have or have previously had a sibling visiting the hospice. The day was overseen by a team of Naomi House, including myself, who all helped to organise fun games and activities for the children to participate in.
Naomi House is so very important for a lot of families. The hospice allows for them to relax in a friendly environment by relieving them of some of their normal day to day responsibilities. Events such as the sibling support day really go one step further to ease the strain on some of the families and give them a well deserved break.
For me, the sibling event was also just as important for the children who attended as they too could just enjoy an afternoon of fun. It also meant that they had the opportunity to make new friends with other children of a similar age who may share the same sort of family situations themselves.
The fun filled afternoon consisted of several different games and visits from a magician and Father Christmas. There was also an opportunity for the children to think about people, perhaps their brothers and sisters, who may be unwell or no longer with us this Christmas.
As a volunteer, moments such as these reinstated the purpose of the day, which was easy to forget when we were all so busy and having so much fun. It also helped me to realise just how important my role as volunteer is and what a big difference it makes.
My volunteering experience with Naomi House was my first, however I am certain will not my last. I enjoyed the afternoon extremely and can now fully appreciate what having a handful of hardworking volunteers can enable.
If you would like to become a volunteer at Naomi House or jacksplace, please take a look at a our volunteering opportunities.
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