Tina Shah, Volunteer Receptionist

Tina Shah volunteered for Arthur Rank Hospice Charity for over 25 years, until 20205!

She kindly shared her experience:

I started voluntary work at the old Hospice in Brookfields (Mill Road). I did the famous tea bar which was right opposite reception so we got in touch with people who came in and offered them a cup of tea or coffee and biscuits. Most of the people that come into the Hospice have some sort of grief attached or strong emotions and it’s amazing what a cup of tea can do! We would calm them down a little bit and bring some normality.

I then joined the home sitting team – where we used to go and sit with a patient to give the carer a break one morning or one afternoon a week. I realised, what it meant for someone who is caring, to have some time where they can go out, do some window shopping or have a nice luxury bath upstairs without worrying for their loved one being alone.

When we moved to the new Hospice (in Shelford Bottom) I worked briefly in the clinics upstairs (The Bradbury Wellness Centre), but it wasn’t very busy then and there was a vacancy for a volunteer receptionist which I applied for.

The bit I like about being a volunteer receptionist is it’s a first port of contact and you welcome people and you read their faces. You come face-to-face with emotions and it’s amazing. You never know what to expect on any shift. I’ve been doing it for a few years and no two shifts have been the same. And it’s very right to say there’s a fusion of tears and smiles because people who come in with their loved ones who are very ill or end of life stage, they’re tearful with emotions and when they see the care that the Hospice offers, there’s a smile on their face. That’s where you feel the satisfaction and a warm glow.

What does getting the 25 year award mean, to you and your family?

Getting the 25-year award, which is like quarter of a century. A big part of my life as well! Emotionally, it means a lot because I’ve been through some challenges myself in my life and the thought of having made a little bit of a difference in other people’s lives gives me a lot of comfort.

I’ve encouraged my family to volunteer because work today runs in the 5th gear. Here you come face to face with life and death.

What you would say to someone else that’s interested in volunteering for the Charity?

The first thing that comes to my mind is I would say we live in a world where we are all blessed with so much, we forget what’s going on around us. Volunteering is the ideal way of giving back something. The Hospice is a very friendly place to volunteer, you learn a lot, get a really good satisfaction after giving and the staff are really, really good and you get looked after!

Getting the award was very emotional for me because my family were there and the staff has become like a family for me. When Sharon [Allen, CEO] gave me a long hug, I was going to fall into tears because it was a thank you that I felt within my heart.

You can see a video of Tina talking about her experience here. 

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If you would like to volunteer for Arthur Rank Hospice Charity, please see the current volunteer opportunities here: arhc.org.uk/volunteer