In the UK, charitable organizations provide volunteer respite care to those living in the general vicinity of the organization. In smaller towns and even rural communities this is frequently the most utilized means of receiving this kind of care since professional organizations are at times simply not thought of or carry long waiting lists. In other cases the professional organizations charge fees which are not feasible for the family experiencing the need for respite care and in such cases the volunteer organizations steps up to the plate to bridge the gap.

The advantages of this approach are plentiful:

* Respite care provided by a volunteer from within the community is most likely viewed less as a clinical arrangement and much more as a friendly visit of an acquaintance or peer. This is especially useful when care is provided by someone of the same general age as the patient whose family has applied for this assistance.

* Community volunteers may double not only as respite volunteers helping the family members get a break from continuous care, but also as a means of socializing for a house bound patient. Sometimes referred to as a “shut-in,” many a vicarage has already begun ministries with these individuals in mind. Although in some cases membership at the particular faith community is required, in the majority of cases it is immaterial if the patient or the family are members.

* Respite care provided by a volunteer affords more dignity than that offered by a professional. Perhaps it is the fact that hiring a professional is considered a bit of an abdication of responsibility, when a volunteer takes on the position of temporarily caring for the patient, the family member on break feels a lot less guilty about getting out of the caring environment for a brief period of time - even though there is little difference in the actual care offered by either a professional or a volunteer.

There are some times when volunteer care is not a good choice, however, and in such cases every effort must be made to either pair a care volunteer with a professional or to hire a professional outright. Usually this option is wisest when the care of the patient involves the use of restricted substances and is extremely involved. When hospice care is involved, a volunteer may not always be the right choice either, especially when death is imminent.

Many UK charitable organizations provide volunteer respite care with the help of highly trained individuals, but it never hurts to ask about the specific training a volunteer has undergone or the professional training she or he has received as well. In some cases the volunteer coordinators are brilliant at pairing volunteers with patients and their families based on certain medical needs and skills; in other cases it is a bit of a hit or miss proposition and the family member requesting the respite care volunteer needs to ask the necessary questions that identify the most qualified volunteer for the situation at hand.

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