‘I’ve found pure, heartfelt joy in the place I least expected,’ says Erin, a recent volunteer who has just completed her first memoir with one of our clients.

At Peninsula Hospice, our memoir program is called ‘In My Own Words’ (IMOW). It can be a chronological, biographical account of a life well lived, or a collection of stories, recipes and photos and memorabilia that illustrate who the person is and what’s been important. Most importantly, it’s told in the client’s own voice, in their own words. It gives clients the opportunity to reflect on their successes, achievements, and anecdotes that have become part of the fabric of their life. Their thoughts and values—and the story of how they’ve lived—are captured on paper and presented in a beautifully designed booklet.

Launched in mid-2025, the value of IMOW is already evident with overwhelmingly positive feedback from clients and their families. ‘I feel really proud of this’ was a client’s comment upon receiving his booklet. For clients, the benefit of the process of reviewing their life in this manner has been well researched. It’s the process of telling their story that has the greatest impact as it enables them to see the bigger picture; it is a reminder of what they have done, that their life has made a difference and been meaningful.

Volunteer Biographers, like Erin, create a safe and supportive space for clients to reflect, share, and celebrate the meaningful moments of their lives. They record conversations with clients and use technology to transcribe the recording. The text is then edited for flow and readability, always with the client’s consent and approval.

With five volunteers trained to work with clients, demand for the service has already exceeded expectations, and it’s anticipated it will continue.

After working with her first client, volunteer Erin said, ‘When I first got in contact with Peninsula Home Hospice to become a volunteer biographer it was with the intention that I wanted to give; give a listening ear, a moment of reflection to someone at the end of their life. All three of my children were at school, so I had some extra time, and I was ready to give back to my community. I was prepared that volunteering in the palliative care sector was going to be emotionally taxing and so I had my own wellbeing practices to fall back on. But what I wasn’t prepared for is that I wasn’t going to need them – volunteering became my weekly mindfulness and it is my self- care practice.’

If you would be interested in becoming a Volunteer please get in touch with Wendy Fox, Volunteer Program Leader admin@peninsulahospice.com.au or call 03 5973 2400.