As Volunteers’ Week comes to a close, St Teresa’s Hospice would like to say a huge thank you to all of our incredible volunteers. Volunteers have always been an integral part of our hospice and we are forever grateful that so many people have offered their time and skills over the last 40 years. The contributions of our volunteers have made an immeasurable difference in the history of our hospice.
We would like to take this opportunity to share some words from our current volunteers, and a message from our CEO Nicola Myers on the difference volunteering makes to St Teresa’s Hospice.
John, Volunteer Host:
“After having recently retired, I found myself with time on my hands – time that I wanted to use for the benefit of others. I’d previously been aware of the wonderful service provided by St Teresa’s so wanted to explore the possibility of helping in some small way. The exploration was successful! I have been given the opportunity to volunteer here as a Reception Host and I’m delighted!”
“For me, the enjoyment of volunteering at St Teresa’s comes from trying to help as many people as possible (patients, visitors, staff and other volunteers) in any way that I can.”
“Everyone has different experiences and different things to offer others, it’s a privilege to volunteer here. One of the most satisfying experiences is when you are able to welcome visitors who’ve never been here before. They’re sometimes a little nervous and apprehensive, so it’s quite rewarding to try and make them feel at ease, and especially rewarding when you see them leave looking a lot more relaxed than when they arrived!”
Alice*, Retail Volunteer:
“I have always been interested in charity work and giving back to the community.”
“Following retirement, I decided to undertake volunteering work and reached out to Emma, who manages my local St Teresa’s Hospice shop, six years ago to see if she needed any help. She provided me with the relevant information and welcomed me with open arms. Emma has always been kind, polite and supportive, going out of her way to help. I quickly became embedded in the team. Through my work and her I met a number of lovely people and I look forward attending every Monday to help out. My time here gives my week structure and purpose.”
*Name changed at volunteer’s request.
Linda Smith, Finance Volunteer:
“I enjoy the flexibility of volunteering in the finance department. I currently come in for a couple of hours twice a week and it’s easy to fit around my schedule. I like that I’m keeping up with the skills I used when I used to run the till and balance books when working in a bank.”
“You can’t put a price on the friendships you’ve made here. I feel like I’m not just a volunteer, I’m part of the team.”
Nicola Myers, CEO, says, ”Volunteers play a vital role in all aspects of our hospice. Their time, compassion, skills and commitment make a real difference to patients, families and everyone we support across our community.”
“Over the past year, with their support, we have been able to care for nearly 1,200 people across our community. Behind every one of those moments of care and support is the commitment of our volunteers – whether in our shops and warehouse, out and about fundraising, welcoming people on reception, on our Board, supporting our non-clinical teams or working alongside our clinical services. Across every part of the hospice, their time and dedication make a real and lasting difference.”
“The impact of their contribution is clear:
- 100% of our service users would recommend our hospice to their friends and family
- 97% of patients achieved their preferred place of care
These outcomes simply would not be possible without them.”
