**Volunteer Biographer (In my Own Words program)**:
Position Description

**PHH Vision**

Working together to live well and die well.

**PHH Role**

To partner with our community to ensure excellence in palliative care from diagnosis to bereavement.

**General Information**

Peninsula Home Hospice is a not-for-profit community palliative care organisation that provides
specialist health care and practical support in the home to people living with a life limiting illness and
their families and friends. Peninsula Home Hospice provides service to people on the Mornington
Peninsula, Frankston City and the City of Kingston (up to the Mordialloc Creek).

**Statement of Purpose**
- Peninsula Home Hospice provides home based specialist palliative care that optimises quality of life _
- for those in our care, and honours the hope for choice, dignity, comfort and peace. _

**Core Values**

We value: _Integrity, Collaboration, Respect, Innovation and Empowerment_

**Position Specification**

**Reports to**:Volunteer Program Leader

**Role Reflection**:Initially during the probation period at three months, six months and then
annually

**Role Statement**:The "In My Own Words" program offers PHH clients a unique opportunity to
have their life stories, significant events, or cherished moments captured in
written form. Through this program, Volunteer Biographers work closely with
clients to record their narratives, transcribe their stories, and incorporate
photos if requested. The result is a beautifully crafted biography that clients
can share with their families and loved ones, preserving their legacy for future
generations.

**Volunteer Boundaries**:
Volunteer boundaries allow volunteers, the client and the nominated carer, family, and friends, to
engage safely and effectively in professional relationships. Clients engage the service while
vulnerable, trusting that the information they provide and discuss will only be used for their care and
best interest. Volunteer boundaries are mutually understood physical, emotional, and social limits
between the client and volunteer and Peninsula Home Hospice. There is a start and end point to that
relationship for the length of time the client is engaged with Peninsula Home Hospice.

**_Role Description_**

A condition of engagement with Peninsula Home Hospice is that all volunteers have a satisfactory
Police check and a Working with Children Check.

**Key Selection Criteria: Skills, Knowledge and experience**:
Essential:
Desirable
- Highly developed literacy and writing skills or experience in the writing field
- Experience and knowledge of Microsoft Word or similar programs
- Computer literacy skills, and the ability to format and edit documents
- Photography skills, digital and restoration experience
- Ability to use audio/visual recording equipment
- Well developed interpersonal skills and verbal and written communication

skills
- Caring, empathic, compassionate and non-judgemental approach
- Ability to work independently and as part of the interdisciplinary team,

including supervision
- Commitment to and understanding of issues of confidentiality
- Flexible, reliable, and responsive to attend client visits
- Previous experience in palliative care
- Have patience and empathy and an understanding of palliative care

**Key Responsibilities**:
1. **Biography development**:

- **Empathy and Listening**: Create a safe space for clients to share personal stories,

listening attentively to capture their essence.
- **Questioning Techniques**: Asking open-ended questions to encourage reflection and

uncover key events.
- **Facilitate Conversations**: Guiding clients through different life periods, helping them

elaborate on significant memories.
2. **Record and Transcribe biography**:

- **Audio/Video Recording**: Use equipment to record clear interviews and manage files
for future use.
- **Transcription**: Use transcription software to transcribe interviews, manually editing
as requested, while maintaining the client’s voice and intent
- **Organising Content**: Structuring stories by themes (e.g., childhood, career) to easily
transition to booklet format.

3. **Utilisation of client photos**:

- **Photography**: With the client identifying meaningful photos
- **Scanning Techniques**: Digitising photos and memorabilia clearly and accurately

using scanners.
4. **Editing and Formatting Client biography**:

- **Story Editing**: Editing narratives to maintain flow while respecting the client’s voice,
highlighting key moments.
- **Developing the layout and biography design**: Create a visually appealing booklet
with balanced text and images.

5. **Client Communication and engagement**:

- **Client Collaboration**: Communicating throughout the process, integrating client

feedback, and managing revisions.
- **Time Management**: Prioritising tasks and keeping to timelines
- **Final Presentation**: presenting a professionally printed, bound booklet and offering

digital formats for clients