5 minute read
St Catherine’s Hospice: Denvale Trade Park volunteers
Over 600 volunteers support St Catherine’s Hospice to provide vital end-of-life care to terminally ill people and their families when it’s needed most. Here, a team of volunteer Admin Assistants, who support the hospice’s retail team at St Catherine’s furniture warehouse share their experiences of volunteering for the local charity.
Advertisement
Carolyn Stokes started volunteering in September 2020. She says, “I retired in March 2019. I had a lovely year off picking up new hobbies and projects, but I’ve always thought I’d like to volunteer. I had a friend who very sadly needed to use St Catherine’s so I knew of the good work they did.”
Babs O’Kane first got involved with St Catherine’s when she ran the London Marathon in 2008. “I experienced then how supportive St Catherine’s is,” she explains. “Then, when my dear friend spent her last days there I was overwhelmed by the warmth, care and support given to her, her family and friends. From that point forward, I really wanted to volunteer. I started volunteering two mornings a week last September after I was made redundant during the first lockdown.”
Aliza Siddque is a recent university graduate and decided to volunteer after witnessing the suffering her Grandad went through from having a terminal illness before he passed away. She explains, “I wanted to give my time to a hospice and support the work they do caring for those suffering from terminal illnesses. I also wanted to build my confidence, work with new people and gain useful skills. Volunteering has helped bring productivity back into my life, and given me purpose and the opportunity to make a difference for others in my community.” In their Admin Assistant roles the volunteers help in varied ways They update the local charity’s Gift Aid database, which helps the hospice get an extra 25% on donation from taxpayers, help package up hospice eBay orders, and recently worked together to implement a hugely successful doorstep collection service. Carolyn, Babs and Aliza arranged over 450 collections from people in the local community Aliza says, “Taking time to talk to each supporter and learn what donating means to them personally is lovely and knowing my time doing that has helped raise money for the hospice is a sense of accomplishment like no other.” Babs agrees. “People use their donations, be it furniture, clothes, books or bric-abrac, to support the hospice. I’ve had very humbling experiences where people have phoned in, and said they’ve recently lost a loved one and now want to donate their things.” As well as supporting St Catherine’s, volunteering has provided Carolyn, Babs and Aliza with personal benefits too “Feeling like I’m giving something back is the best thing about volunteering.” explains Carolyn. “St Catherine’s shop staff are hugely appreciative, which is very rewarding, as is going home and knowing I’ve made a difference by helping to raise funds.” Babs adds, “Volunteering is flexible, and I feel I’m doing something worthwhile. It allows me to use skills I developed during my career, but I’ve also been given opportunities to develop and grow. When I was made redundant I felt shock and panic, but I’ve turned that negative into a positive by sharing my skills with St Catherine’s. Volunteering has helped me during the pandemic because it’s kept me around people, and given me a reason to get up and out the door. It’s enabled me to cope with what’s been a difficult time for many.”
For Aliza, volunteering has given her a confidence boost – “It’s given me the boost that I needed.”
“Every volunteer matters at St Catherine’s,” explains Babs. “On my first day, Annette, Retail Operations Manager, said, if anybody asks you what you do here, please never say, Oh, I’m only a volunteer. She told me you’re not an only, and that’s so true. We’re made to feel part of the team. I’ve been overwhelmed at how many people we speak to who want to tell us how the hospice has helped them. It’s proven that St Catherine’s really is at the heart of our community.”
If you would like to find out more about volunteering at St Catherine’s please visit: www.stch.org.uk/volunteer or call (01293) 447351. Or to make a donation please visit: www.stch.org.uk/donate or call (01293) 447361. Laura Mitchell, St Catherine’s Hospice
Photos: Carolyn Stokes (left) and Babs O’Kane volunteering with St Catherine’s Hospice
PRIVATE CANCER SUPPORT AT HOME “Making the best of the rest of your days”
FREE initial assessment within 48 hours of a diagnosis of cancer NO WAITING LIST
Advanced Care Plan… to ensure your wishes and needs are met and carried out, one on one support for you and your family from day one. Achievable Personal Goals… Whatever is achievable: holiday, wedding, we will arrange in a realistic time line to diagnosis and any treatment.
Finance and Practical Assistance…
We will fundraise, advise benefit entitlements, mobility vehicle and blue badge.
Full support for you and your family…
Practical help: meals, housework, care on bad days art/craft/pet therapy sessions for any of your family affected by your diagnosis, the chance to talk without pressure about their own worries and concerns. Late stage Palliative Care… in accordance with your care plan if required, working with other health professionals involved in your care. Ongoing Support… for family members for as long as they require, private grief councilor on board, support and therapies for any family member’s ongoing support.
Don’t take my word…
“Tina has been our support during the last months, weeks, days of my husband’s life. She was with him when he passed at home as we were desperate not to have him in hospital with COVID and on his own. She has been wonderful. Very caring, extremely knowledgable and competent, always punctual and reliable as his needs changed. My husband loved her from the moment she came into our lives.” Sue (wife of client) “Floor washed, lunch made, clocks changed. I cried when I got up. You have two angels in heaven and we have one here with us: YOU! We were saying yesterday that we believe a higher being sent you to us at the right time for a special reason. You are being guided by your angels. Our whole family rates you so highly, we have flowers here for you to collect.” Maureen (wife of client)
Photo: pony therapy session Email cancercarecompany@yahoo.com Tel (01403) 432605 Mobile 07376 210731
