An ear for tragedy and triumph

BY KELLY BURNS

Every day that volunteer Penny Brander spends at Mary Potter Hospice she hears the story of a lifetime.

Some tell of their tragedies, their triumphs and tales they want to leave for the next generation. As hospice residents, there is not a lot more that can be done for the subjects of the stories Ms Brander hears.

But she can offer a friendly ear and the chance for someone nearing the end of their life to talk bravely and honestly about what it entailed.

Ms Brander is one of 11 volunteers at the Wellington hospice who offer a biography service to patients allowing them to document their lives in a book for family and friends.

"At times it can certainly be moving and touching," she said.

"For some people it will provide an opportunity to reflect quite deeply on aspects of their life. For others it is simply a documenting process."

Volunteers meet patients about once a week, listening and recording as they tell tales from their past.

It takes three to four hours to transcribe every hour of recording.

Ms Brander, who works as a health researcher and has been a hospice volunteer for three years, said patients were encouraged to add photographs and illustrations.

When finished, the biography is bound and given to the patient or their specified family and friends if they die before its completion.

Ms Brander said every biography was different. The "specialness" of people talking about their lives' highs and lows made it rewarding.

"It's just a practical thing of wanting to leave stories for families and friends," she said.

The relationship between volunteer and patient was professional, with recordings done in confidence.

Ms Brander said the service was appreciated by patients and family, especially when they realised the volunteers did it for free.

Viv Pender, biography co-ordinator, said the service gave people the chance to talk about their lives and decide what to pass on to the next generation.

Parents of young children often used the service, which has been running for 14 years, to tell their stories and write letters to mark milestones they would miss.

You can nominate an unsung hero for our Volunteer Week series. Email news@dompost.co.nz

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