S T C AT H E R I N E ’ S H O S P I C E
BECOME A VOLUNTEER
D
o you want to become a volunteer in 2021? St Catherine’s is looking for motivated individuals to volunteer their help in the trading
department. Below, five volunteers in our Rowfant donations warehouse have shared their own experiences of volunteering and why they encourage you to do the same. Richard, from Crawley, started volunteering for us last year after being furloughed and made redundant from his full-time job in the travel industry. Describing
Richard (Left) and Kevin.
Sarah.
more about his background, he said: “I’ve worked in travel for the whole of my working life. I’ve worked for some of the best travel companies,
husband passed away, I knew that I needed to do something, so I decided to take up volunteering. I’ve
one for 11 years and another for 18 years. I’ve only
volunteered at other places before St Catherine’s, but
ever done that, it’s a fantastic industry to be in and I
it’s so much different here than anywhere else I’ve
did love my job. I was furloughed on the 1st April
been. You’re not just a number, they know your name
2020 and I haven’t worked since, and I was made
and you feel as if you’re part of something.
redundant in December. Volunteering has always been at the back of my mind, but like a lot of people, I always felt like I never had the time to do something. I
I would recommend everyone to try volunteering at some point in their life. Sarah, who also works in the travel industry in
also never fully understood how simple it was to give
London, became a volunteer after she was furloughed
some time and make a difference.
due to Covid-19.
Kevin, also from Crawley, started volunteering in our
“Being furloughed started to have a big effect on
warehouse two years ago after retiring from his job in
my mental wellbeing, so this opportunity came at the
the banking industry. Describing more about his
right time for me. I get a sense of achievement from volunteering for
experience, he said: “Like a lot of people who retire, I knew that I
St Catherine’s. When I see all of the things that people
needed to still do something. I always knew I wanted
have donated and know that they’re going to be
to volunteer and two years ago I decided to join St
going to a shop to help raise money, it makes me feel
Catherine’s. I knew all about the hospice as it’s very
very proud to be a part of that. This opportunity came
local to me, I saw an advertisement for volunteers at
at the right time for me and it’s really helped me.
the warehouse to sort through donations and since starting I have loved every minute of it. That’s why two years on I’m still here.
I would recommend everyone to give volunteering a go because you don’t know until you’ve tried. It makes you feel really proud to do something for
Good friends, Carol and Joyce, are also part of our
somebody else, especially during the difficult times
volunteering team at Rowfant and worked together in
that we’re currently in, and I’m sure volunteering will
finance before volunteering at St Catherine’s. Joyce:
give you that feeling too.”
“I would really miss it if I didn’t do it. Volunteering
Would you like to be part of our volunteering team?
here really helps me as it gets me out of the house,
Please visit www.stch.org.uk/volunteer/ or call the
and I feel very lucky to be volunteering for a local
Volunteering Team on 01293 447351 to find out
cause and helping people in my community. After my
more.
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FEBRUARY/MARCH 2021
HORSHAM PAGES South To advertise call 01403 588618 or visit www.horshampublications.com
