A Harrow hospice is recruiting volunteers to provide social support for terminally ill patients for the first time after a £40,000 grant.

St Luke’s Hospice wants to train up a team of volunteers to talk and listen to patients in their own homes, as well as providing hygiene care for the people the charity cares for, as part of its Hospice at Home service.

The hospice, which opened in 1987 and operates mostly on the £3million of donations it receives every year, has been awarded a £40,000 grant from the St James’ Place Foundation to run the scheme.

The project’s manager, Caroline Jenkins, said being able to send volunteers to help out at patients’ homes would mean giving much-needed respite for carers and family members looking after seriously ill relatives.

She added: “There is a big impetus by the Government regarding end-of-life care, which aims to provide patients with choices about where they would like to die.

“Patients would if given a choice prefer to die in their own homes, but extra support is required to achieve this – not just physical and social support for both patient and families but more practical support.

“It can be very difficult for families to try and juggle work and family life with caring for a very ill family member. When this breaks down due to family stress or fatigue, patients may be admitted inappropriately to hospital and may end their lives there rather than at home.”

Volunteers, who would be asked to help wash and feed patients as well as talk and listen to them, would be supervised by qualified nurses.

The hospice wants would-be volunteers to come to an open day on September 19 between 1.30-3pm at its premises in Kenton Road to find out more.

For more information, click here or book your place by emailing volunteering@stlukes-hospice.org or calling 0208 382 8000.