How volunteers are making a difference at Pilgrims Hospices
Pilgrims Hospices volunteer Graham Dorkins tells us what it’s like to be back volunteering at the hospice in Canterbury after the long period of lockdown.
Graham has been supporting Pilgrims staff managing the distribution and recording of the regular weekly COVID-19 testing kits. He told us: “It was great to hear from Adrian Matthews, Pilgrims Hospice Service Manager at Canterbury asking me if I would be able to offer some volunteer time to help with this important role.
“I registered as a Pilgrims volunteer around one year ago, but obviously due to the COVID restrictions it’s been a while before I’ve been able to lend my support. I had shadowed as part of the reception team before lockdown, welcoming visitors, professionals and suppliers and hope to continue with the role moving forward. It’s a very rewarding role and there’s much to think about in order to ensure everyone is treated with respect and compassion and the hospice deliveries and maintenance services etc. are dealt with efficiently and professionally. As the first point of contact, it’s really important to create a welcoming atmosphere for everyone arriving at the hospice. It’s good to have the support of the volunteer training programme too.
As the first point of contact, it’s really important to create a welcoming atmosphere for everyone arriving at the hospice. It’s good to have the support of the volunteer training programme too.
Graham
“I worked in the city in the banking sector for many years, I commuted from home in Faversham to London every day which often meant my day started at 5:30am with a journey home at 7:00pm. Two months into the lockdown, I decided to take early retirement which sadly meant I was unable to say good-bye to colleagues personally. However, I felt it was a good time to make changes and it would allow me time to offer my services as a volunteer.”
“Why did I decide to volunteer for Pilgrims?
“Well, I am a Christian and lay minister at St Catherine’s Church in Faversham, and as such wanted to help in the community. I know from personal experience, Pilgrims Hospices are an important service provided to those needing end-of-life care within our community; my mother-in-law was cared for at the Canterbury hospice two years ago.
“The hospice was such a great help to our family.
“I’ve been volunteering one morning each week with the COVID testing kits, it’s been lovely to be around so many people again and I’ve enjoyed reconnecting with the staff and care teams, there have been lots of names to learn and faces to remember.”
There is no doubt at all that without our volunteers we would not raise the £11 million we need each year in order to provide our services to patients and their families.
Jeff Southon, Voluntary Services Manager
Pilgrims Hospices has almost 400 members of staff with around 1,600 volunteers who support them, not only within the hospice buildings but in the hospice gardens, retail stores, and also within fundraising groups and at events.
Adrian Matthews, Pilgrims Hospices Services Manager with volunteer Graham Dorkins distributing COVID tests
Jeff Southon, Voluntary Services Manager said: “It’s great to see Graham, and a few other volunteers returning to our hospices, albeit in small numbers at this time. They have been missed terribly over the last 15 months as they create such a positive vibe in the hospices, and they make a real difference to the people we support and care for. There is no doubt at all that without them we would not raise the £11 million we need each year in order to provide our services to patients and their families.
“Volunteers bring a variety of skills and we look for opportunities to utilise their skills in the best possible ways. However, the most valuable attributes they can bring to the hospice are their commitment to the ethos of the charity and a positive approach to whatever role they undertake.
We simply cannot do what we do without them and we are truly grateful to them for donating their time to Pilgrims Hospices.”
Volunteers’ Week is a chance to say thank you for the fantastic contribution millions of volunteers make across the UK. It takes place 1-7 June every year and is an opportunity to celebrate volunteering in all its diversity.
We’re accredited by REVAMP, a quality mark for Volunteer Involving Organisations developed by Stronger Kent Communities, a leading provider of support for the voluntary sector in Kent.
2nd June 2021
Kate: “Why I support and love Pilgrims”
Kate Love from Folkestone shares her experiences of Pilgrims Hospices care. Not only has she become a valued member of Pilgrims’ volunteer team, she has first-hand knowledge and experience of how their services can support not only patients, but families too.
She speaks affectionately of her experience as a volunteer and as someone who has personal experience of the services available.
“Eight years ago my soul mate Ann and I had a party to celebrate my 50th Birthday, Ann’s 60th Birthday and her retirement from 36 years of teaching and headship. Life was good, and we really didn’t want or need any gifts therefore asked our guests (almost 200 of them) to make a donation to Pilgrims Hospices. We had a great party and raised about £2,000 in the process.
Ann and Kate at their birthday and retirement party
Eight years on, I had no idea how Pilgrims Hospices would become such a huge part of my life. After retirement Ann started to volunteer at the Ashford hospice, my school became involved in fundraising and developed a tradition of decorating the Christmas trees in the Therapy Centre in Ashford. In 2017, after taking retirement, I became a fundraising volunteer and Ambassador. I love being part of a team, learning more and more about the incredible work of Pilgrims Hospices and having the opportunity to ‘spread the word’ especially in schools.
Two years ago, my life changed considerably when my eyesight suddenly deteriorated and I was registered severely sight impaired, but thankfully with Pilgrims’ and Kent Association for the Blind’s support, I was able to continue volunteering. Some four months later I received even more bad news with a diagnosis of breast cancer which led to operations and radiotherapy but thankfully I’ve recovered and feel fine now.
Life then dealt its seismic blow. Ann, who was usually a larger than life character became unwell and within a short time of visiting her GP for various tests and an unfortunate fall that led to her being taken to hospital by ambulance, our lives simply fell apart when she received a diagnosis of terminal cancer.
The care and support we received was vast, varied, and so valuable. Medical support was provided through nurses from Pilgrims who visited and phoned regularly. They sensitively facilitated those difficult conversations about end of life care and the different scenarios which may arise over the months to come.
Kate
Despite Ann’s knowledge and insight into the work of Pilgrims Hospices, she was initially reluctant to be referred but thankfully this was short lived and she agreed. We both knew this was the right decision and cannot praise highly enough the support and care we received through Hospice at Home.
For me as a carer; the most reassuring thing was probably knowing that support was available 24/7 and the person on the other end of the phone was always so calm and reassuring and no query or worry was too small. Moreover, there seemed to be a seamless link between the hospice and other services such as GP, community nursing and carers.
The care and support we received was vast, varied, and so valuable. Medical support was provided through nurses from Pilgrims who visited and phoned regularly. They sensitively facilitated those difficult conversations about end of life care and the different scenarios which may arise over the months to come.
There was also a wealth of practical support from hospice medical practitioners. We received home visits from both the physiotherapy and occupational therapy teams; their recommendations of equipment and adaptations were quickly implemented and enabled Ann to remain as mobile for as long as possible. Without their support Ann would not have managed to get out of the house at all – and more importantly she would not have been able to enjoy her ice cream by the sea!
Hospice at Home service has a truly holistic approach, going far beyond the traditional medical support. There were regular visits from a member of the therapy team to provide massage and/or reflexology to both Ann and myself and it is incredible how these sessions helped us both. Running alongside this we both had access to counselling and although this is something I think we were both rather skeptical about, I know we both found the sessions useful as I think each of us was most worried about how the other was coping! The bereavement counselling I received following Ann’s death was invaluable, the team were so understanding and supportive that my initial skepticism about counselling disappeared!
Hospice at Home is an incredible service which is still little known about, and nothing I could write would really do the staff justice; but suffice it to say they enabled Ann to fulfil her wish of staying at home until the very end surrounded by those she loved and those who loved her – something for which I will be eternally grateful.
Kate
Ann was so appreciative of the support and care provided by Pilgrims, as was I, but her illness didn’t stop her fundraising! She insisted we continued to host our ‘Comedy at Home’ event which raised about £500 as she watched and laughed from the comfort of her bed. We had an endless stream of visitors so Ann saw this as a fundraising opportunity, she proceeded to become the star raffle ticket seller for Ashford hospice’s Summer Draw, raising £500 – after all, how could anyone refuse to buy a ticket from her?
Ann’s birthday was on 26 September and with her inimitable dry sense of humour she said, ‘What do I need where I’m going?’ So, she did a Facebook fundraiser, she was totally overwhelmed by the fact this raised £2,500.
Four days later, on the afternoon of 30 September 2019, Ann died peacefully at home.
Hospice at Home is an incredible service which is still little known about, and nothing I could write would really do the staff justice; but suffice it to say they enabled Ann to fulfil her wish of staying at home until the very end surrounded by those she loved and those who loved her – something for which I will be eternally grateful.”
Volunteers’ Week is a chance to say thank you for the fantastic contribution millions of volunteers make across the UK. It takes place 1-7 June every year and is an opportunity to celebrate volunteering in all its diversity.
We’re accredited by REVAMP, a quality mark for Volunteer Involving Organisations developed by Stronger Kent Communities, a leading provider of support for the voluntary sector in Kent.
1st June 2021
Pilgrims Hospices celebrates Volunteers’ Week
Local charity Pilgrims Hospices will be celebrating the difference volunteers make to their organisation during this year’s Volunteers’ Week, which runs from 1-7 June 2021.
Volunteers at Pilgrims Hospices are being welcomed back as the government roadmap opens and the charity is able to offer an environment that is safe to return to. Many of the shops opened again with the support of dedicated volunteers, the charity generated new and much needed income which is helping to support 100s of people who need expert care. A wide variety of roles are being fulfilled including gardeners, administrators, drivers, to name but a few, and in many cases, part of the welcoming team at the hospice receptions in Ashford, Canterbury and Thanet.
Volunteers’ Week is a time to say a heartful thanks and welcome back to our volunteers as we restore our services and move through the national roadmap to ease lockdown.
Helen Bennett, Chief Executive
The well-known and much-loved local charity provides end of life care throughout east Kent and has done so for over 38 years. With almost 1,600 volunteers, all playing an important part to ensure the charity remains here for everyone who needs their care.
Helen Bennett, Chief Executive
Helen Bennett, Pilgrims Hospices Chief Executive said: “Volunteers’ Week is a time to say a heartful thanks and welcome back to our volunteers as we restore our services and move through the national roadmap to ease lockdown. We wholeheartedly recognise the significant contribution you all make not only to Pilgrims Hospices but to organisations across the UK.
“It has been said many times, but it remains the case, that volunteers are the backbone of our organisation.”
Jeff Southon, Pilgrims Voluntary Services Manager said: “It’s wonderful to be inviting our volunteers back again. The pandemic has been challenging to say the least, we had to ask the majority of our volunteer workforce to remain at home and stay safe, we’ve missed them and are delighted they are returning to help us again. We remained in contact throughout these difficult times, sharing relevant information as things progressed and it’s been an absolute pleasure to speak to so many people who are really keen to come back to help us move forward in the future.
“We’ve introduced robust measures to provide additional support, and ensure the safety of volunteers; providing training for those who are taking on fresh challenges and we’re comfortable that the experience is one that our amazing volunteers will enjoy and they will feel valued as part of the Pilgrims Hospices family. It reflects how important they are to our teams; we really can’t do our work without them.”
Jeff Southon, Voluntary Services Manager
The charity will be sharing volunteer stories throughout Volunteers’ Week, they can be seen on Pilgrims website here and on Facebook and Twitter.
If you’re interested in volunteering for Pilgrims, visit pilgrimshospices.org/volunteer, we would love to hear from you.
Although we will not be able to hold events to thank all volunteers personally on this occasion, we hope to be able to celebrate with them when the government recommends that it is safe.
Jeff added: “I’m very proud to say Pilgrims has successfully retained for a further two years, its REVAMP accreditation, a quality mark for Volunteer Involving Organisations developed by Stronger Kent Communities, a leading provider of support for the voluntary sector in Kent. This award demonstrates Pilgrims’ commitment to ensuring people have the best possible experience when volunteering with us”
Volunteers’ Week is a chance to say thank you for the fantastic contribution millions of volunteers make across the UK. It takes place 1-7 June every year and is an opportunity to celebrate volunteering in all its diversity.
We’re accredited by REVAMP, a quality mark for Volunteer Involving Organisations developed by Stronger Kent Communities, a leading provider of support for the voluntary sector in Kent.
29th May 2020
Pilgrims marks Volunteers’ Week with “WE MISS YOU!” message
Staff and trustees at Pilgrims Hospices are counting down the days to Volunteers’ Week 2020. Now in its 36th year, Volunteers’ Week is held annually to celebrate the incredible contributions of millions of volunteers across the UK.
In east Kent, more than 1600 people volunteer for Pilgrims’ and all work varying hours in a wide range of roles. From receptionist to retailer, fundraiser to therapist, gardener to caterer, the skills and experiences volunteers bring to the charity are vast.
The COVID-19 pandemic has put on pause many voluntary activities, but Pilgrims’ is determined to celebrate and recognise the enormous difference volunteers make.
Jeff Southon, Pilgrims’ Volunteer Services & HR Manager, comments: “Since late March this year, almost all of our volunteers have only been able to support us from home but they have been doing it in a variety of new ways. Our message to them is – we miss you!
“We are very much looking forward to the day we can welcome back our volunteers. This week is all about saying thank you all for your unstinting support.”
Volunteers are the backbone of our organisation
Helen Bennett – Pilgrims Hospices Acting CEO
During lockdown, volunteers have donated to Pilgrims’ Still here, Still Caring fundraising appeal, and supported the charity’s new care initiatives Matching Hearts and #stayathomehospicehero. They have also been volunteering in other roles to help others during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pilgrims’ Acting CEO, Helen Bennett, says: “It has been said many times, but it remains the case, that volunteers are the backbone of our organisation, and now more than ever they are the backbone of our communities.
“We are currently working on how we can safely restore some of our voluntary activities and will keep our volunteers up-to-date on developments. We want to send a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to all our volunteers during Volunteers’ Week 2020.”
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Volunteers’ Week takes place 1-7 June every year. It’s a chance to celebrate and say thank you for the contribution millions of volunteers make across the UK. As well as helping others, volunteering has been shown to improve volunteers’ wellbeing. The estimated value of volunteers helping charities in the UK is £22.6 billion.
Please note that many of our volunteer roles are currently paused to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
We look forward to welcoming our volunteers back on board once the current situation improves.
For current information about all Pilgrims Hospices services, including for volunteers, during the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic, please visit pilgrimshospices.org/covid-19.
Pilgrims Hospices has been caring for the people of east Kent for more than 37 years, having opened its first hospice in Canterbury in 1982. Its two other locations were opened at Thanet in 1992 and at Ashford in 2001. The charity provides palliative care for adults with a range of incurable illnesses including cancer, heart failure, respiratory conditions and neurological diseases. Care is provided from the three sites, in patients’ homes and via community programmes.
26th February 2020
Jane’s passion for painting with textiles
Jane Dickins’s passion for art and fabrics has led her to volunteer for Pilgrims Hospices in the High Street shop in Deal. She is an avid up-cycler and loves to create works of art with interesting fabrics. One of Pilgrims volunteers spotted Jane’s keen eye for detail and creative flair on a visit to source fabrics in the Deal shop. She was asked to consider joining the Monday afternoon volunteer team and has been a regular volunteer ever since.
Jane told us: “I’ve always loved visiting Pilgrims shops when searching for fabrics and creative ideas.
“I often check out the rag collections and find some brilliant materials to work with. That’s the great thing about my work creating with fabrics; garments don’t need to be perfect, I deconstruct them for my designs; giving them a new lease of life as part of my texture and colour fabric pictures and designs.
I’ve always loved visiting Pilgrims shops when searching for fabrics and creative ideas.
Jane Dickins
“It’s great to know nothing is ever wasted from the donations given; the team of volunteers ensure all garments are of good quality before reaching the shelves for customers to purchase. Anything unsuitable is bagged for rags and sold to be made into cleaning materials and similar products.
“For a donation, I select suitable fabrics and colours for my designs, it’s an Aladdin’s cave of wools, cottons, leathers, I think of it as painting with textiles.”
Jane’s artwork
Jane who is originally from Australia enjoyed a career in archaeology specialising in Aboriginal art. She studied at Cambridge and lived in London before falling in love with Deal in Kent where she’s now settled with her husband. Jane uses many of these influences in her fabric designs and pictures, which she works on from her studio in Deal.
Recently Jane exhibited some of her amazing artwork at the contemporary art gallery, Linden Hall Studio in Deal with great success.
She added: “I’m so pleased I’m able to combine my work as an artist with volunteering; I love my regular Monday afternoon slot at the Pilgrims shop, we are a great team and it’s rewarding to know my time supporting in the shop is really helping to make a difference to end of life care in the local community.”
If you would like to find out about volunteer opportunities with Pilgrims Hospices, please click here.
Each year Pilgrims Hospices give care and comfort to over 2,400 people in east Kent who are coming to terms with an illness that sadly cannot be cured. The charity support patients to live life as well as possible until the very end, free from pain and distress.
5th June 2019
Holly: “I’m pleased to volunteer for a local charity that does so much within our community”
Holly Swan from Aylesham is a busy mum, student and research intern at Canterbury Christ Church University but still makes time to support Pilgrims Hospices as a volunteer.
Holly found herself becoming involved as a volunteer when she spotted a Pilgrims fundraising event that piqued her interest. She said: “I’ve always expressed an interest in how charities organise and manage fundraising events; I saw the festive Santas on the Run, it looked really fun and I wanted to get into the Christmas spirit by giving my time.
Pilgrims is truly a safe haven of support for people at the end of their lives. Importantly, that support extends to patients’ families and friends who may need help and guidance when caring for loved ones.
Holly
“I volunteered to help with the event registrations on the day, it was a great way to meet new people and to feel like part of the Pilgrims team was something really positive. It was great being able to give the Santas a smile and some encouragement before their run.
“There are so many amazing people doing so much to support our local hospice, it’s brilliant to be involved with the fundraising events, I’m hoping to help with Divas on Wheels and several other events this year.
“It’s apparent from the supporters I’ve met and from personal experiences spoken of by my husband and his family, Pilgrims is truly a safe haven of support for people at the end of their lives. Importantly, that support extends to patients’ families and friends who may need help and guidance when caring for loved ones.
“I’m pleased to volunteer for a local charity that does so much within our community.”
Tell us your volunteer story on social media by using the hashtags #PilgrimsLife and #VolunteerVoices.
Volunteers’ Week is a chance to say thank you for the fantastic contribution millions of volunteers make across the UK. It takes place 1-7 June every year and is an opportunity to celebrate volunteering in all its diversity.
We’re accredited by REVAMP, a quality mark for Volunteer Involving Organisations developed by Stronger Kent Communities, a leading provider of support for the voluntary sector in Kent.
