Thanks to Pilgrims Hospices wonderful volunteer counsellors, patients, carers and families have been able to continue accessing vital counselling support throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Here, they share what it’s been like and why this service is so important.
Jill Poll
Jill is from Whitstable and began volunteering at Pilgrims Hospices after 12 years working in a private counselling practice, with particular interests in bereavement and supporting teenagers.
“I started volunteering as a counsellor at Pilgrims Hospices during the pandemic. Even though I’ve been working remotely, it’s been a privilege to be able to help patients, carers and the bereaved. Of course, it’s tricky not seeing people face-to-face – reading body language is such an important part of counselling – but any contact with those in need is vital, especially in the times we’re living through. It’s so important to just be there and offer support.
“I enjoy knowing that I can make a difference; if I can help someone even one tiny bit, I’ve done my job. When someone knows they are dying or is caring for someone at the end of life, they just want to feel heard. Often, they don’t want to worry their families with their own anxieties and fear, so this is where counsellors can step in and play a crucial role.
“Pilgrims is such a wonderful place. I’m really looking forward to being able to counsel people face-to-face in the near future. I’ve also only met my colleagues virtually via Zoom, so it will be lovely to finally catch up in person and feel even more a part of the hospice team.”
Maureen Fenner
Maureen is from Ashford and qualified as a counsellor in 2014; she joined Pilgrims as a volunteer counsellor in 2018 after many years working in the voluntary sector. She also runs her own private counselling practice.
At three months old, Maureen contracted polio, which paralysed both her arms and also affects her legs; she uses a powered wheelchair and drives a specially adapted van. Overcoming her own adversity helps her relate to others’ emotions with a clear understanding, and she enjoys being able to help people in this way.
“Counselling people brings me a sense of purpose, and throughout the pandemic it helped me deal with my feelings regarding my own place within the locked down world.
“Working with clients at this time gave me focus. Listening to others dealing with their own significant difficulties, sharing their worries, and gradually forming a therapeutic relationship with them, I found to be a great help to me.”
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.
6th June 2021
Heather: “Pilgrims is a happy, vibrant, positive place”
Heather Stratton from Pluckley near Ashford has generously given her time as a volunteer for more than 16 years.
Over the years she’s played several important support roles for Pilgrims Therapy Centre, and also on the hospice wards as a patient-facing volunteer alongside the Health Care Assistants.
Heather said: “When we moved to the area in 2002, I had already retired from my working life. We were attending a cream tea at our local church where I met a Pilgrims Hospices nurse and we chatted about the work they do for the local community. I was immediately interested and decided to investigate how I could help in a volunteer role. Since then I’ve never looked back.
“After making an application and meeting some members of the Pilgrims team, I was accepted as a volunteer and spent several very happy years in the Therapy Centre supporting patients who travelled from home for regular treatments and support at the hospice site.
“In 2011, I joined the newly launched Ashford hospice ‘Buddy’ programme; designed to train volunteers to achieve skills enabling them to work in a supporting role in the Therapy Centre, and on the ward. On completion of my training, I continued volunteering in the Therapy Centre, then in 2014 I transferred to the ward, assisting the HCAs with the patients’ personal care, feeding, moving and handling and psycho-social care. I am also required to complete the annual e-learning and mandatory moving and handling training provided by Pilgrims.”
I’m missing my regular visits to the hospice, it has been a strange world for the past year without my friends at Pilgrims.
Heather
As time has progressed, Pilgrims has reviewed and adapted the Buddy role and we are now excited to launch the new Ward Support Volunteer role. These trained volunteers will support the teams at all three of our hospices and will be an integral part of the team supporting patients and their loved ones on the wards. Annie Hogben, Expert Volunteer Development Lead at Pilgrims hopes to encourage many more people to become part of this very important team.
Annie told us: “We as a team have taken time during this challenging year to review our volunteer roles and want to ensure that all our volunteers understand why their skills and support is vital to us going forward. We want our dedicated volunteers to feel fully equipped with the skills and knowledge required, especially when supporting patients on our wards.”
Heather has not returned to her volunteer role on the ward as yet due to current restrictions. Every precaution is still in place to ensure everyone remains safe and well.
I’m just helping to give care and support to people who are entering the final phase of their life, so that they may feel loved and cared for in their final journey, in an atmosphere of peace and dignity.
Heather
Heather added: “I usually volunteer for a full day shift each week and I’m always happy to do more to help if needed. I’m missing my regular visits to the hospice, it has been a strange world for the past year without my friends at Pilgrims.
“I’m often asked why I volunteer at the hospice, and is it a very sad place to be? It really is quite the opposite, it’s a happy, vibrant, positive place, full of extremely talented and knowledgeable care professionals who are making a huge difference to those who need end-of-life care.
“Myself, I look upon the end stage of life just the same as the beginning and middle, a very normal, if poignant part of the cycle of life. I’m just helping to give care and support to people who are entering the final phase of their life, so that they may feel loved and cared for in their final journey, in an atmosphere of peace and dignity.
“A few years ago I was talking to an elderly lady who was sitting at her husband’s bedside. She addressed me as ‘Sister’, so I explained that I was not the Sister but a volunteer carer. She replied, ‘but you’re a sister to me.”
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.
4th June 2021
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.
