My first encounter of a hospice was when my mother-in-law was in a hospice, elsewhere in London. After spending much time with her on the ward, I got to appreciate hospice care and how much they rely on volunteers to survive.
One day, after driving past St Raphael’s on my way home, I decided to pop in to see if they had any volunteer vacancies. I had a lovely chat with the Volunteer Lead and the rest is history! I have found my niche in various volunteering roles – in bereavement support, as a ward companion and in the charity shops. It is incredibly rewarding. We help and encourage each other in all roles, it’s one great family.
In the Donation Centre, great teamwork is essential, due to the volume of donations that come in. It’s collaborative, with each volunteer having different skills which help us to sort, categorise and price items for the various shops. We really support one another and have become great friends. My social life has blossomed through volunteering! A few volunteers have told me that volunteering for St Raphael’s has changed their life, which is such a wonderful thing.
It’s a privilege to meet so many people in the community who walk through the doors of the Hospice, Donation Centre, and our charity shops. We all work hard as volunteers and enjoy every moment knowing that it’s in support of our local Hospice.
My father always told me that if you can do anything in life, just be kind, and you will be rewarded. I am doing just that and am continuously fulfilled through my volunteering. I am blessed with a husband, children and six grandchildren. I volunteer and get so much in return. Being a part of a team, working together, knowing we are doing something positive for our community, is incredibly rewarding and my outlook on life has changed a lot since I started volunteering.