Pamela: “I enjoy raising awareness about local hospice care”
Pamela Possee from Stowting chose to volunteer for Pilgrims Hospices after having successful surgery for malignant melanoma. She felt it was appropriate to support the local charity that helps people across east Kent who are living with life-limiting illness.
Pamela has experience as an event organiser in the business sector and a project manager and mentor in the voluntary sector, where she worked to empower vulnerable people. She is a valued volunteer at the Ashford hospice, sorting through thousands of donated goods and getting stock ready for fundraising events, such as the Summer Garden Party, Ashford Christmas Fair and Craft Market and lots of community raffles.
What I love most about volunteering for Pilgrims is that it’s flexible and varied, and it’s a very positive and friendly environment.
Pamela
She said: “Before I started volunteering, I didn’t know that Pilgrims offer such a wide range of services. I enjoy talking to everyone I meet and raising awareness about local hospice care.
“What I love most about volunteering for Pilgrims is that it’s flexible and varied, and it’s a very positive and friendly environment. There are so many different roles available for various skills and abilities. I want to continue to help the local community for a long time to come.”
Kate Duddell, Fundraising Manager, said: “Pamela is a wonderful asset to Pilgrims. She is dedicated and supportive of our work in the community. She is precise and detailed in her role sorting through and managing the large volumes of items the charity is gifted by our community. Pamela also supports other fundraising initiatives, from evening events to manning the highly successful chocolate tombola at our Christmas Fair.
“She is an incredible individual who gives her time so generously.”
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.
Therapy Centre volunteers help hospice patients to live well
At Pilgrims Hospices Therapy Centres, patients with life-limiting conditions and their carers are supported to live well in every moment. Alongside hospice staff, volunteers give their time in a variety of ways to help ensure the smooth running of Therapy Centre services.
Tina Downey
Tina Downey from Brabourne Lees volunteers every Wednesday at the Living Well Group for patients in the Therapy Centre. She also volunteers at the pamper day for patients and carers, which is held every three months. Tina worked at a GP surgery for 20 years; when she retired, she felt that she wanted to continue giving something to the community. She said: “I hope that I’m a good listener. I enjoy meeting and talking to people. Pilgrims was the obvious choice for me when I was deciding to volunteer, as I have lost both friends and close family in the hospice.
Jim Martin from Brook volunteered as a driver for nine years and is now the volunteer transport co-ordinator, organising drivers for the Ashford area. He said: “I love meeting new people. When I was a driver, I used to bet patients that the hospice would be the opposite of what they thought it would be, and I always won. The people we bring in for the first time are different from the people we take home.”
David King from Cheriton has been a volunteer driver for 10 years. He heard about the role from a friend, and wanted to get involved because he feels that Pilgrims is a charity everyone in the local community may need at some point in their life. He said: “Volunteering for Pilgrims is a really worthwhile thing to do. I enjoy meeting people – it’s not all doom and gloom, there’s a real camaraderie between volunteers and patients. I would recommend it to anybody.”
Volunteering for Pilgrims is a really worthwhile thing to do, there’s a real camaraderie between volunteers and patients. I would recommend it to anybody.”
David
Vivien Southern from Kennington was an NHS driver for 27 years. After retiring, she applied to volunteer on reception at the Ashford hospice. When she mentioned her driving experience, she was asked if she’d like to become a volunteer driver, too. Vivien has now been volunteering for seven years. She said: “I’d lost some friends in the hospice so thought volunteering would be a good way to give back. I love the people, the communication. We’re a happy little band, aren’t we?”
Derek Sorrell from Kennington has been a volunteer driver for five years. After retiring from a 42-year career in the motor trade, he started taking a friend for chemotherapy treatment at Kent & Canterbury Hospital and thought he might like to do this as a volunteer. Derek got in touch with Ashford volunteer centre who suggested a role at Pilgrims. He said: “My first thought was that I wouldn’t be able to cope with it, but Jon Sillett (Head of Hospice Services) told me that Pilgrims was a happy place to work, and he was right. For me, the most rewarding thing is picking up a patient who is scared of the hospice but when they come out they’ve had such a positive experience. The change in people is amazing to watch.”
Leanne and Karen with some of Pilgrims’ volunteer drivers
Leanne Clark and Karen Clark, Wellbeing Practitioners at Pilgrims Hospices, work closely with volunteers and truly value their support. Leanne said: “Our volunteers play a vital part in patients’ and carers’ hospice journeys. They are our eyes and ears in Therapy Centre sessions and we wouldn’t be without them.”
Karen added: “Many patients and carers are very anxious when attending their first visit, so it’s important that they feel welcomed. Our volunteers are friendly and engaging, which can help visitors to feel relaxed. They play a very important role within the Therapy Centre, they are dedicated and warmly respected for this.”
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.
31st May 2019
Val: “It helps me a lot, being able to give back”
Val Chaffer from Aldington, Ashford chose to volunteer for Pilgrims Hospices after her husband, Doug, was cared for by the charity. Here, she shares what she loves about volunteering and why she thinks others should get involved.
During his illness, Doug attended gym sessions and benefitted from complementary therapies at the Ashford hospice. Doug and Val also attended patient and carer groups together, and Val found carer days very helpful, too.
Now, Val volunteers at the Ashford hospice. She has a regular shift at Time to Create art and craft sessions in the Therapy Centre and also helps out on reception and at fundraising events. She said: “When I had my induction tour of the hospice, so many people remembered me. It was lovely. It’s such a happy place and almost an extension of my family now.”
People can be themselves here. For an afternoon they’re not really a patient; they can put their illness in the background. It’s such an enjoyable place to volunteer.
Val
Val has always enjoyed all forms of craft, so volunteering at Time to Create groups is a natural role for her. She said: “People can be themselves here. For an afternoon they’re not really a patient; they can put their illness in the background. It’s such an enjoyable place to volunteer. It also inspires me to think of different creative projects to do with patients – so far, we’ve made cross stitch bookmarks, cards, patchwork baskets and weaved cards with ribbon. We’ve also done some flower arranging, which is really lovely.”
Val loves volunteering at Pilgrims and believes that others will, too.
She added: “It’s such a good thing to do, you make such a positive difference to patients and their families. It helps me a lot, being able to give back to the charity that supported Doug and I at a very difficult time. If you’re thinking about volunteering for Pilgrims, do it!”
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.
Young volunteer makes time to support local hospice
17-year-old Georgia Malkin makes a valuable contribution to the community by taking time to volunteer at Pilgrims Hospices.
Georgia, who lives in Folkestone and is studying for A-levels at Barton Court Grammar School in Canterbury, supports in the hospice reception welcoming visitors, along with taking supporter donations and selling merchandise.
She also supports at fundraising events, particularly the in memory events such as Trees of Love.
I’m very grateful for the opportunities Pilgrims has given me. The helpful insights into handling money, and getting an understanding of retail, customers and numerous other opportunities will be really useful as I move forward in education and eventually into employment. It’s been an important part of building my confidence.
Georgia
Georgia said: “My mother is a volunteer at the Canterbury hospice, therefore I have an insight into the amazing care that Pilgrims provide within the community. The work Pilgrims do is so valuable and I’m very proud to be part of the volunteer team.
“I hope by volunteering as a young person, I help to dispel the stigma involving death and hospices. My experiences have only been positive, the charity provides the most caring and reassuring environment for patients, their families and friends at a time when they need it most.”
She added: “I knew a fair bit about what to expect as a volunteer from my visits to the hospice with my mother and information I’d gathered from the Pilgrims website.
“My thoughts on Pilgrims’ care are that it’s impeccable, and what the hospice has achieved is astounding. They have an amazing team who provide a service by which difficult situations are made more manageable for everyone concerned.
“I thoroughly enjoy my volunteer role; in a slightly selfish way, I’m very grateful for the opportunities Pilgrims has given me. The helpful insights into handling money, and getting an understanding of retail, customers and numerous other opportunities will be really useful as I move forward in education and eventually into employment. It’s been an important part of building my confidence; they have shared a window on how the charity supports so many patients and families within our community.”
Along with her volunteering, Georgia is also a fundraising champion. Last year she took part in the National Citizen Service (NCS) programme with schoolfriends, raising a total of around £1,000 for hospice care. As part of the campaign she courageously shaved her head, raising £500 for Pilgrims. The NCS team volunteered at the hospice on a variety of projects, undertook fundraising bucket collections and held an 8-hour dance-a-thon, achieving this amazing contribution.
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.
Arleen and Rosie find paw-fect volunteer role at Pilgrims Hospices
Arleen Paton-Smith and her dog, Rosie, from Birchington, are helping to make a difference to Pilgrims Hospices patients who are living with an incurable illness.
Rosie is a Maltese Terrier and Bichon Frise cross-breed and registered as a Pets As Therapy (PAT) dog. She visits the Margate hospice once a week with Arleen, so that patients can experience the many calming, anxiety-reducing benefits that come through interacting with animals.
Arleen said: “Rosie has a special pink sparkly collar and lead, which we keep for visiting so she knows where we are going when I put it on her. As soon as we arrive at the hospice she can’t wait to go in.”
Rosie is always very keen to see the patients and often gently talks to them, even if it’s to ask for a treat! It can be a pleasant distraction for them to welcome her. Many patients have had their own pets and miss them, so getting a cuddle with Rosie brings back lovely memories.
Arleen
Arleen and Rosie visit on Thursday mornings when patients coping with a life limiting illness at home come into the hospice for a day. Arleen chats with patients and volunteers, and Rosie greets everyone in her friendly way. Afterwards, they go up to the hospice ward to meet in-patients and their visitors.
Arleen added: “Rosie is always very keen to see the patients and often gently talks to them, even if it’s to ask for a treat! It can be a pleasant distraction for them to welcome her. Many patients have had their own pets and miss them, so getting a cuddle with Rosie brings back lovely memories, which they are happy to share with me. Because she is small and fluffy she is perfect to sit on a lap or even the bed, and you can see the pleasure that having contact with an animal brings to patients.”
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Arleen was a volunteer receptionist for 13 years at the Canterbury hospice, which she thoroughly enjoyed but stopped when she moved to Birchington.
She said: “When Rosie came into my life as a rescue dog, a friend told me about Pets As Therapy and I decided to apply. Happily, we were accepted. I’m a big supporter of Pilgrims and the wonderful work they do, so it’s the perfect place for Rosie and I to volunteer as I don’t have to leave her at home. Our roles with Pilgrims and Pets As Therapy mean that I can still enjoy volunteering but in a different way.
“It is a fact that pets can lower anxiety and blood pressure and be a temporary distraction for patients, family and staff, so I hope that Rosie and I help during our visits in some small way. We certainly enjoy meeting and talking to so many lovely people.”
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.
20th May 2019
Sarah: “I’m helping to provide a great service to the local community”
Sarah Thomson from Canterbury recently became a Volunteer Complementary Therapist at Pilgrims Hospices. After completing her induction, Sarah now offers complementary therapies to hospice patients and carers. Here, she talks about her role and what motivates her to volunteer for Pilgrims.
Complementary therapy has been part of the hospice movement almost from the start. Hospices are holistic. Massage, touch, holding hands, giving people a hug or putting an arm round their shoulder is truly compassionate. It’s something that everyone can benefit from. People with a life limiting illness who are receiving palliative care can become isolated, so any form of calm, caring touch is beneficial.
Sarah giving a back massage at the Canterbury hospice
Sarah is registered blind and trained in massage and complementary therapies at the Royal National College for the Blind (RNC). She has volunteered at a pamper day at the Thanet hospice, and aims to keep honing her skills so that she can continue to support local people who are living with an incurable illness.
What made you want to become a complementary therapist?
I have always been interested in holistic therapies. I’ve had my own health problems over the years and I wanted to know how to help myself, so that’s how it started. I offer a variety of therapies including massage and reflexology, which is an ancient technique that uses pressure points on the feet to detect imbalances in the body and helps to clear blockages.
How did you become a volunteer for Pilgrims?
I’d just moved to Canterbury and was walking into town, trying to teach myself the routes. I walked past the Canterbury hospice and thought, ‘I wonder if they need a complementary therapist?’ I expressed an interest and then the Canterbury volunteer centre contacted me and said there were volunteer roles available at Pilgrims Hospices, so I jumped at the opportunity and contacted them straight away. I’m gaining valuable experience and helping to provide a great service to the local community, that’s the main thing.
Through volunteering, how do you hope to develop your skills in the future?
I’m currently training as a reiki practitioner to add to my existing skills. This is a healing therapy where you don’t use your hands, but you do touch the whole body in a set pattern and channel natural energy into it in a very specific way. I’d love to have my own practice eventually. I have a Facebook page because it’s something I really want to build into a profession.
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.
