Memory Lane Service
About the service
Memory Lane is a free service that supports patients in end of life care to visit a place that holds meaning for them. The service is entirely donor-funded and staffed by medically trained health care professionals who volunteer their time and expertise.
Currently the Memory Lane service is operating from RFDS bases located in Bendigo and Mitcham.
Why we offer this service
For people with a terminal illness or in palliative care, a simple chance to reconnect with their lives in their final days can mean the world. We want to give them an opportunity to visit a place of personal significance, admire their own garden, feel the breeze of the seaside, or be surrounded by their loved ones and pets - whatever means most to them.
Where distance may appear to be a barrier between our clients and where they long to go, our volunteers overcome to provide the kind of opportunity that means so much to them, their family, friends and carers. To see how this service benefits clients and the people who care for them, please watch our short video.
What does a typical journey look like?
- Vehicle pick-up and driving between locations
- Safe transfer of clients via stretcher in and out of the vehicle and from location to location
- Use of oxygen and suction as required
- Showing patience and waiting until our client is ready to leave their destination
- Maintaining the vehicle, including refuelling and cleaning
- Participating in pre and post journey briefings with RFDS staff, as well as other communication on and between duty
What is the time commitment?
A Memory Lane destination is dependent on our client's request and can be located anywhere within Victoria. A typical journey requires 6 to 8 hours of a volunteer's time. The distances to be travelled are generally within the constraints of a day trip. On rare occasions, the travel distance may require an over-night stay. Naturally, this type of extended commitment is subject to volunteer availability and interest.
We ask volunteers to make at least one day per month available to complete a Memory Lane journey. Due to the unpredictable nature of service requests, we cannot guarantee monthly opportunities, but for all of our registered volunteers, in advance of any upcoming journey, we will send out a call to action, request interest, and work as necessary to share out opportunities over time across our volunteer team.
What we look for in a Memory Lane volunteer
Memory Lane volunteers have a lot of responsibility placed on them, so we look for people who have the necessary experience and qualifications to fill the role.
Essential requirements
- Medical training from one or more of the following categories:
- Certificate III in Patient Transport
- Diploma or Bachelor of Paramedicine
- Diploma or Bachelor of Nursing
- Bachelor of Medicine & Surgery
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Reliability and excellent team work skills
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Commitment to complete orientation, other training and meetings as required
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Empathy and capability to work sensitively with people diagnosed with a life-limiting illness during the palliative phase
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Demonstrated commitment to confidentiality and respect for the rights of patients to self-determined care, including ongoing plans that may include voluntary assisted dying
How to Apply
Download the position description to see all the role requirements and then click through to MyImpactPage.com to fill in an online application.
One of our friendly team will be in touch via email to discuss you application and talk through the selection and training process in detail.
