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 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,
Richard (Left) and Kevin.
Sarah.
you’ve done something to make a difference and that you’re contributing to a local charity who needs all the
one for 11 years and another for 18 years. I’ve only
help it can get. I would recommend volunteering to
ever done that, it’s a fantastic industry to be in and I
people of all ages, particularly those that have been
did love my job. I was furloughed on the 1st April 2020
furloughed, are in between jobs, or not working at all,
and I haven’t worked since, and I was made redundant
as it keeps you active and helps your mind to stay
in December. Volunteering has always been at the back
ticking over. It’s easy to be out of work and fall into
of my mind, but like a lot of people, I always felt like I
the trap of thinking negatively, but this doesn’t take up
never had the time to do something. I also never fully
a huge amount of time and it can give you that extra
understood how simple it was to give some time and
bit of motivation to keep going. I only do 10 hours a
make a difference. Being furloughed gave me a bit
week, but even if somebody only does one morning a
more perspective on what makes me feel good and I
week, it can make a huge difference.
needed to find something that gave me more purpose. I struggle to sit indoors all day and just listen to my own thoughts, so not only is this volunteering role
It makes you feel like you’re actually contributing something and making a huge difference. I always think that it may only be a part-time
helping the hospice, it’s also helping me.
volunteering role, but the impact that it has on St
I struggled a lot during lockdown.
Catherine’s makes a great difference. If we can get
I really look forward to coming here, it gives me
enough stock out to our shops that is sellable, every
some structure to my week and I look forward to catching up with the other volunteers. I’ve met some
penny counts.” Kevin, also from Crawley, started volunteering in our
great people whilst doing this who I now consider my
warehouse two years ago after retiring from his job in
good friends. One of the things that makes it easier is
the banking industry. Describing more about his
that there’s quite a lot of comradery here, we help
experience, he said:
each other get through each day. You don’t realise how rewarding volunteering can be until you just get out there and do it. It’s not a difficult role either, it’s easy to do and you
“Like a lot of people who retire, I knew that I needed to still do something. I always knew I wanted to volunteer and two years ago I decided to join St Catherine’s. I knew all about the hospice as it’s very
can work at your own pace. There’s no pressure from
local to me, I saw an advertisement for volunteers at
anyone and there are many rewarding benefits. It feels
the warehouse to sort through donations and since
really good at the end of each day to know that
starting I have loved every minute of it. That’s why two
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FEBRUARY 2021
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