St John of God Berwick Hospital (SJGBH) is inviting the local community to help make wishes come true for local families.
The Dream A Little Dream program has been especially designed to grant a wish to palliative patients and their loved ones. The hospital’s palliative care unit cares for patients from diagnosis of a life limiting illness to the end of life. Sadly, these patients range in age.
Some are very young, others are parents of young children, there are grandparents, great grandparents and those who are lonely and alone.
The new program encourages these patients to tap into their inner child to dream and see the realisation of an unfulfilled desire. The granting of their wish is intended to bring some happiness at a difficult time, bring smiles to sad faces and make dreams a reality.
The hospital’s team of nurses, doctors and supporting caregivers are experienced at offering excellence in clinical care and medical support to palliative patients of all ages. The pastoral practitioners also provide emotional assistance.
However, SJGBH knows that with the assistance of the local community, they can go one step further.
Businesses, suppliers and individuals are invited to offer their services and join the Dream Team- a database of generous people who have pre-registered their interest to make dreams come true.
The hospital will call on these compassionate people as patient wishes demand. Sometimes, depending on the patient’s condition, this can mean a rapid response.
An initial menu of suggested wishes has been created as the program launches but the hospital anticipates growing and enhancing the selection.
Some of these hospital-based dreams include a professional photo shoot for the family along with makeup and hair, a family dinner party, a romantic dinner for two, pamper treatment or massage.
There is even the option for the patient to create their own little dream.
A recent patient was a passionate supporter of the Melbourne Football Club and the hospital organised a visit from ex-player Russell Robertson.
It is hoped that the community will dream big and initiate additional ideas and services to offer dreams, experiences and gifts to patients and their loved ones of all ages.
In order to make this program a success, the hospital is asking the community to join them by considering two options:
1. Join the Dream Team by offering their services to make dreams come true. To register on the database, please email dreamteam.berwick@sjog.org.au.
2. Make a donation. Tax deductible donations can be made at www.sjog.org.au/berwickdream.
Berwick Op Shop and the Manley family have made the first donations to the program.
