Volunteer ‘Spotlight’

  • 28 August 2019

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Did you know that Arthur Rank Hospice Charity has a team of over 550 very special and generous volunteers which support everything we do. We are so grateful as we really couldn’t do it without them!

In our ‘Spotlight’ feature they have kindly shared more information about their volunteering roles.

Anne, Shop and Bistro Volunteer, August 2019

My name is Anne. I really enjoy interacting with everyone I meet when I volunteer in the Arthur Rank Hospice Charity Shop, Regent Street on Wednesday mornings and in the Bistro at the Hospice in Shelford Bottom alternate Saturday mornings.

I started volunteering for the charity as my husband died in the old Hospice (on Mill Road) and I wanted to give something back. I love what I do in my small way to help and I realise now how hard work it is for the Hospice to raise essential funds!

Jo, Bistro Volunteer, July 2019

Jo volunteer at Arthur Rank Hospice Charity My name is Joanne (Jo) and I live in Balsham, I am married  have two grown up daughters and two grandsons. I still do a few hours a week book keeping to keep my hand in.

I have been volunteering for Arthur Rank Hospice Charity for almost 2 years, it is something quite different to how I have spent my working life. It has changed my perception on how to treat people working in an active customer services role. I am a great people watcher and have come to understand the term the customer is always right!

I can really only help out on Wednesdays. Monday I work Tuesday and Thursday I do childcare for my grandson, Friday is chores and weekend is family and leisure.

I volunteer in the Bistro. It is a very successful cafe within the Hospice. You get to know the Hospice community and can experience their dedication first hand.

Since working in the NHS for over 12 years in an administrative job I came to understand the dedication of our health workers and always pledged to work voluntarily for them when I could afford to. After a spell of ill health and very frequent visits to Addenbrookes I decided once I was better I would join the volunteers there. However just about then the brand new hospice opened, I had known about the old building through my father who also worked in the NHS as a senior administrator and who was involved with the people who staffed the old site. It seemed better for me to work there if they were looking for help as it was easier to get to and easier to park.

My service hasn’t been continuous due to various Heath problems but hope to be able to keep helping when I can.

It has surprised me how many different types of people there are and I earned a food hygiene certificate ( in the course of training).

It is an honour to know that the funds raised by the Bistro with the help of volunteers goes towards the most valuable service in our lives. Taking care of us in our final hours and supporting our loved ones. I have known and lost several friends who had the care of the teams at Arthur Rank and I couldn’t be prouder of any organisation.

Kieran, Shop Volunteer, May 2019

Kieran Volunteer My name is Kieran. I started volunteering at the Arthur Rank Hospice Charity shop, Burleigh Street because I wanted to make a positive difference to people’s lives in the local community. Also, I wanted to pick up new and useful skills that will be helpful in future pursuits.

I love the sense of community that comes with volunteering in the shop; I feel like a valued member of the team and the whole experience has improved my confidence and communication skills. I would highly recommend this to anyone considering volunteering.

 

Margaret, Flower Arranger, August 2017

I have supported Arthur Rank since the beginning; I became a District Nursing Sister and concentrated on end of life care and supporting family carers. When I retired in 2012 I decided to volunteer.

I chose flower arranging as when I trained as a nurse we learnt flower arranging!  I love doing it.  My volunteering is flexible and adaptable and I live in Cambridge and can easily respond to a request to do the flowers.The flowers give pleasure to everyone who comes to the hospice, patients, families and staff. I enjoy people talking to me about them and feel that I am still the nurse that I always was.
There are so many roles you can volunteer at the hospice. We always need volunteers and there is no better time to become one.  It is so worthwhile to make a difference in our own community.

Barbara, Bistro Volunteer 

Like so many other families, ours has been touched by cancer and when my Mother was terminally ill thirty years ago there was nowhere for her to receive the palliative care she needed. Before retiring I had worked for thirteen years in cancer research and understood the importance of the hospice movement.
When I heard the new Hospice opening and the need for more voluntary help, I thought this an ideal opportunity for me. I volunteer once a week in The Bistro to cover the busy lunch-time period. My work involves serving the food and drinks, helping to ensure the customers are served promptly, clearing the tables and taking payments. Having been involved since it opened it has been a pleasure to see it become more popular.
It was very gratifying that on my last shift we sold out of some items on the menu! I would advise anyone thinking of volunteering to contact the Hospice. There are many different roles and I am sure there is a position to suit most people. I believe that the volunteering I do enriches my life and I would advise anyone thinking of applying for a volunteer position to do so.
If you (or someone you know) would like to join our volunteers please contact our voluntary services team on 01223 675872 or email volunteer@arhc.org.uk for a role description.