Volunteers, Communication, and Relationships: Synergistic Possibilities

Abstract

This article describes how community volunteers and stroke survivors can be involved in an inpatient/outpatient neuroscience and trauma program. We investigate the unique contribution and perceptions of volunteers within a patient-focused service delivery system. Volunteers include students, community members, friends, family members, and survivors. This article is divided into two parts. The first briefly describes a unique approach to training volunteers that incorporates conversational partnerships and professional mentoring to ensure quality learning experiences and to enhance volunteer effectiveness. The second portion of the article investigates the perceptions of various volunteers and provides some insights into the synergy that is created between volunteer and survivor.

Keywords:

• aphasia
• communication
• hope
• stroke
• survivor
• volunteer