A twinning link is a formal or informal agreement between two communities or organisations to work together to:
- develop friendships and links
- exchange experiences, knowledge and skills
- develop mutual understanding, tolerance and respect.
Benefits
Twinning links bring multiple benefits, at organisational and individual levels. Reported benefits to both twinned hospices include:
- supporting training and skills development needs
- acquisition of new ideas and approaches
- exposure to a new environment and culture
- broadening and adapting skills
- staff recruitment, retention and motivation
- team building.
What they do
There are many examples of relationships and links that exist between different hospice and palliative care services across the world. These may involve support and assistance in different forms including:
- information giving, such as sharing documentation and new practices
- educational initiatives, such as shared teaching and exchange visits
- financial support, for example staff fundraising or assistance with applications
- peer support
- material resources
- advocacy
- education.
Find out more
Help the Hospices publishes an information pack called Hospice twinning: a guide to twinning partnerships in hospice and palliative care. This includes
- tips for successful twinning and pitfalls to avoid
- a sample protocol and memorandum of understanding
- a list of current UK/overseas twinnings
- case studies
- other useful resources.
Please contact the Hospice information service to get a copy of the Hospice twinning pack.
