HOSPISCARE is on the lookout for a complimentary therapist to work in the East Devon community after the long-standing incumbent stood down.

Paddy Jones is leaving her role with the charity, after seven years, for family reasons and to continue with her own private practice.

She has spent the past two years as the hypnotherapist involved in a pilot study to ascertain how the practice can help in palliative care.

Paddy’s departure has highlighted the fact that Hospiscare is short of volunteer therapists - particularly in the Sidmouth, Honiton, Axminster and Seaton areas.

There are currently only three people employed part-time to cover the whole of Devon.

Hospiscare therapists provide massage, aromatherapy Indian head massage, reiki and reflexology to patients both at home and at its day care centres.

Both patients and carers were being provided with six free treatments each, but due to the severe lack of volunteers this number has had to be reduced to four.

Anyone qualified in such therapies, who can spare a few hours a week, or fortnight, to become a volunteer has been urged to contact the cause.

All volunteer therapists need to be qualified, registered and have the relevant insurance in the therapy they deliver, but are given training and provided with experience in all hospice settings so that the individual therapists can select which areas they would prefer to work.

Anyone interested should contact Diane Shepherd on 01392 688034.