“There’s nothing I don’t enjoy about my role in Pilgrim’s retail.
“I love the people I meet every day, and the staff and volunteers create such a positive atmosphere, we make a great team.”
She told us: “I’ve enjoyed a career in hairdressing, owned a property development company and later spent time as a publican in Wiltshire.
“I returned to my hometown of Whitstable with my daughter to be closer to family who needed our support. While we settled here as part of the family support network, I decided that dedicating some time to volunteer for a local charity, would be very positive for me too.
Being a Pilgrims volunteer is an amazing experience, the atmosphere was very special, everyone gets along and really appreciates the fact that they are doing something very positive for a very special charity.
Vanessa
“I applied to volunteer at the Pilgrims shop in Whitstable, it’s such a good way to make new friends and keep in touch with what’s happening locally. As well as helping others, volunteering was great for my wellbeing too.
“I started by helping for one morning each week initially, the manager Lorraine was managing two shops in Westgate and Whitstable and needed her volunteer workforce to help with the smooth running of the shops. I really enjoyed being part of the team and definitely wanted to offer my time to charity rather than work for a local supermarket or business.”
Vanessa found great satisfaction in her role as a volunteer, helping people to find and make a purchase, match an outfit or find a gift, she quickly progressed to four and five days each week and became a supervisor at the weekends; and eventually joined the Pilgrims team as a paid manager at the general retail shop.
She added: “Being a Pilgrims volunteer is an amazing experience, the atmosphere was very special, everyone gets along and really appreciates the fact that they are doing something very positive for a very special charity.
“Even though I don’t have a background in retail, I absolutely love sharing the shopping experiences with our customers. They come back time after time, to support Pilgrims, and most love to chat in a friendly environment and really enjoy finding something special or just a little different from the high street experience. People enjoy knowing that their purchases (and donations) are truly making a difference for the people who need our help the most.”
Our volunteer workforce is absolutely invaluable, we couldn’t run our shops without them.
Mandy Hawkett, Retail Area Manager at Pilgrims Hospices
Vanessa’s daughter also volunteers at the Whitstable shop, and finds the time she spends helping customers, really boosts her confidence and helps her to achieve new skills.
Mandy Hawkett, Pilgrims Retail Area Manager said: “The family are a brilliant addition to the Pilgrims retail team in Whitstable.
“Our volunteer workforce is absolutely invaluable, we couldn’t run our shops without them. Volunteers Week takes place 1-7 June every year. It’s our chance to recognise the fantastic contribution they make. Our volunteers truly make a difference to the lives of people across east Kent who are living with incurable illness. Thank you!”
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.
Each year, Pilgrims Hospices give care and comfort to thousands of 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.
Volunteer June brings a smile to Wednesdays for patients and staff at Pilgrims
June from Ashford, dedicates her Wednesdays to Pilgrims Hospices as a Ward Support volunteer on the in-patient unit.
Having retired from a career as a registered nurse of 48 years, she is a first-time volunteer, and a very welcome one at the Ashford hospice.
June turns 68 this month; on retirement, she decided that using some of her new-found free time to volunteer, would be a really positive thing to do. She said: “I haven’t any connections to Pilgrims Hospices, but knew of them as an important local charity offering end-of-life specialist care to our local community. I contacted Pilgrims to find out about volunteering opportunities, but then everything changed, the country went into COVID lockdown and all volunteering stopped.
“When things improved, Pilgrims got in touch with me, they were very keen to find candidates to train in new roles as Ward Support volunteers. The role was explained and I definitely thought my skills would be useful. Not because of my nursing background, but because I’m a real people person, I love to chat and listen to people, it’s a role that requires enthusiasm and compassion to say the least.
“It’s quite a diverse role, sometimes supporting the care team with some fetching and carrying; but, most importantly, spending time with the patients in positive engagement along with being a welcoming face and emotional support for visitors.”
June on the ward
June completed her application, and was invited to meet Annie Hogben who supports volunteer training and development, and was consequently offered the role. The role comes with appropriate training and ongoing support to ensure volunteers are fully skilled in safety, Pilgrims’ high standards in diversity and equality and, very importantly, a full DBS check.
Annie said: “It’s wonderful to see volunteers from all walks of life, supporting Pilgrims care in these roles.
“The response from the local community has been fantastic, we’re incredibly proud to work with such dedicated and caring volunteers.”
June continued: “I have been volunteering since December 2021, and really enjoy being part of the team. Between the nurses, relatives and patients, I’ve had the most amazing conversations, and feel very privileged to have people share some of their fears and honesty with me at such difficult times.
“People are very appreciative of the time I’m able to give, it’s good to know they are reassured and comforted, I feel valued as part of the team, and value the skills of my fellow volunteers and the dedicated Pilgrims staff.
“Everyone that I’ve met at the hospice, whether in care and nursing, domestic support or catering, have all been very lovely. The hospice is most definitely a happy place, not sad at all.”
Please note: We are not currently recruiting additional Ward Support Volunteers.
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.
Each year, Pilgrims Hospices give care and comfort to thousands of 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.
Danielle grows kitchen garden for Pilgrims Hospices
Danielle Duttson, a former teacher and now gardener, from Ramsgate, has been a Volunteer Kitchen Gardener at Pilgrims Hospice Thanet since January 2022.
She is helping the hospice team to grow vegetables, fruits and herbs that will be enjoyed year-round by patients, staff, volunteers and visitors.
Hugo and Wilbur helping out in the Thanet hospice kitchen garden
Danielle is using previously-installed raised beds to create a kitchen garden that will provide the hospice with fresh, seasonal produce throughout the year. Her sons – Wilbur (8) and Hugo (6) – sometimes join her to help out.
She said: “Ideally, it will be a space that everyone can enjoy. Hopefully, patients who are well enough will be able to potter and pick their own peas, salads, strawberries and much more. It’s early days, but by July the garden will be in full swing.”
Danielle’s volunteering is appreciated very much by the whole Pilgrims team.
Drew Fowler, Chef at the Thanet hospice, said: “Dannie is fantastic and an amazing asset to us; she plants, tends and nurtures all manner of plants and herbs for us to utilise in the kitchen.
“We struggled to maintain the garden ourselves due to staff levels, and would like to thank Dannie for her time and dedication to help towards us producing healthy and nutritious meals for our patients, staff and visitors. It’s so nice for us to be able to tell our patients that some of the food on their plates has been grown right outside, in our hospice gardens. As a team, we thrive off the feedback we receive; it inspires us to go that extra mile and do even more for the people we care for.”
Danielle with Drew Fowler, Chef at the Thanet hospice
Danielle is inspired to support her local hospice charity because some of her close family members received end-of-life care, and she wants others to benefit.
She added: “When it can seem like the bleakest time, having a place that feels like home, where nothing is too much trouble and you’re surrounded by nature and compassion, can make a real difference.”
“Wilbur and Hugo love planting seeds and watering the beds. Hopefully, they will grow up without the fear and sadness often associated with hospices.”
Pilgrims is in need of donations for its kitchen garden, particularly:
Seeds
Plug plants
Herbs
Mulch
Compost
If you can help, please contact George Braithwaite, Head Chef at Pilgrims Hospice Thanet:
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.
Each year, Pilgrims Hospices give care and comfort to thousands of 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.
Pilgrims Hospices celebrate Volunteers’ Week 2022
Volunteers’ Week is an opportunity to celebrate and say thank you to people across the UK who give their time, in many different ways and in a variety of roles, through volunteering.
Helen Bennett, Chief Executive Officer at Pilgrims Hospices, explains why volunteers are vital to the work of the local hospice charity.
Pilgrims Hospices are delighted to have welcomed back many of our much-valued volunteers following the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the past two years, our volunteers have returned to work with us in our wards, offices, shops, gardens, our community projects and fundraising initiatives.
Our volunteers are the backbone of the hospice and without their expertise, time and dedication gifted to us so generously, we would have been unable to provide the standard of care that we are proud to offer to the thousands of individuals we support each year.
For Volunteers’ Week, we reflect on the experiences of our volunteers during the last two years, and sincerely thank each of them for their flexibility, humility and kindness to ensure we continued to provide our services to those who most needed them.
Looking back on the last year, Pilgrims Hospices has been pleased with the introduction of some new volunteering opportunities and their success. Alongside our Ward Volunteers, providing direct care and assistance to our patients, we now work with Expert Volunteers bringing key skills such as counselling and bereavement services into our hospices. These roles have strengthened our services and have further improved the quality of care we give to those who need our help.
For Volunteers’ Week, we reflect on the experiences of our volunteers during the last two years, and sincerely thank each of them for their flexibility, humility and kindness to ensure we continued to provide our service to those who most needed them.
Helen Bennett, Chief Executive Officer at Pilgrims Hospices
In addition, as life returns closer to normal, our Retail teams have really brought Pilgrims Hospices back to the high street with a bang! Thanks to the wonderful donations we’ve received from the public, expertly sorted and sold by our Retail and online teams – Pilgrims Hospices has raised £4.5 million in sales to fund the critical work we do.
We are also very much looking forward to welcoming back our psychosocial and wellbeing volunteers, including those in complementary therapy, spiritual care and those who support our Therapy Centre programmes.
This year, our Thank You events for both our volunteers and staff return at each of our hospice sites. We look forward to seeing everyone there as a thank you for their unwavering support, dedication and commitment.
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.
Each year, Pilgrims Hospices give care and comfort to thousands of 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.
Pilgrims Hospices’ Wellbeing team help patients celebrate Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
Time to Create sessions at Pilgrims Hospices, run by the Wellbeing team, offer patients an opportunity to express themselves through arts and crafts activities in a group setting. This can help with the physical, emotional and spiritual challenges they may face after a diagnosis and referral to hospice care.
The team at Pilgrims Hospice Thanet has been busy getting ready to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Patients have designed custom pieces of art using the Queen’s famous silhouette as inspiration; drawing on different artistic techniques and styles, the team curated a unique collection to display in the Therapy Centre at the Thanet hospice.
Janis, a patient, shared what she has enjoyed about the project:
“The Queen has been a constant and stabilising presence for the country through so much adversity. It has been fun painting her.”
A Time to Create session at the Pilgrims Hospice Thanet Therapy Centre
Billy Williams, Wellbeing Practitioner, said:
“Working on such an iconic and world-famous image has been so much fun. Celebrating the Queen’s Jubilee is something that brings the whole country together; everyone at the hospice has been admiring the finished pieces, which we’ve displayed throughout the Therapy Centre.
“Time to Create sessions are a great way for patients to improve their overall wellbeing, meet people going through similar experiences and unwind in a calm and friendly environment. The group has really enjoyed working on these pieces; patients have experienced reduced anxiety and stress, and been able to focus on something positive.”
The feedback from patients is overwhelmingly positive, too:
“I was introduced to Billy and Time to Create after attending a breathlessness management group. I had no idea the hospice offered a wide range of Wellbeing activities. Time to Create is a wonderful way to spend a few hours every Thursday afternoon. I can completely switch off and enjoy the company of the group. It’s been fabulous.”
– Angela
“This is my first time at Time to Create and I have found it friendly and relaxing. I have really enjoyed it.”
– Donna
“Great company and great fun! I come to Time to Create to do many different arts and crafts, completely out of my comfort zone but so enjoyable.”
– Janis
“We all enjoy Time to Create, such fun and super company.”
– Henry
Wellbeing at Pilgrims is an essential part of the holistic care provided by the charity; mental health and wellbeing are vital in helping patients to live well, cultivate a positive mental attitude and develop a sense of purpose.
Pilgrims’ Wellbeing team offer a variety of both patient and carer-focused support, including art-based therapeutic activities like Time to Create and walking groups for carers. They work alongside the wider therapies team to ensure a holistic and person-centred approach is taken when supporting patients, carers and families.
Pilgrims Hospices cares for thousands of local people each year, free of charge, during the most challenging time in their lives. They offer care and support in people’s own homes, in the community and in their inpatient units as well as running a 24-hour advice line.
11th May 2022
Nurse Shayla shares what she loves about working for Pilgrims Hospices
Helping to improve someone’s quality of life, at a point when it’s most precious, can lead to great job satisfaction.
Shayla Raine, from Margate is a Pilgrims’ Palliative Specialist Nurse (PSN) at the Thanet hospice in Margate. She joined the team recently from a district nurse background. Shayla shares how she became interested in end-of-life care and what she loves about her role.
Shayla said: “I thought I knew end-of-life care well, it’s only being here at Pilgrims Hospices, that I realised that there is so much more to know and learn, so much more that families need support-wise and so much more time that is needed with the patient and relatives to enable a peaceful end.”
Palliative care nurses provide care that helps patients maintain physical, mental, and emotional health. They take the time to understand the needs of each patient in order to provide a customised treatment plan that provides lasting relief.
Shayla, who is originally from Suffolk, moved to Kent as a young girl and told us:
“Nursing was never something I thought of doing as I grew up, I sort of, fell into the job. I was a cleaner at QEQM hospital for about two years; loved what I was seeing and wanted to be a healthcare assistant. Whilst cleaning the ward one day, a visitor said ‘come and work for me’. When I asked what she meant, she informed me she was a nursing home manager. I said I wanted to be a carer not a cleaner anymore and I was offered an interview there and then.
“I worked for the nursing home for about two years, made my way to a senior position and often helped the trained nurses with their duties. One day, one of the nurses asked why I hadn’t done my nursing training? I never thought I would be able to, the manager arranged for me to complete my access level three course and helped me apply for nursing. I managed the course over four months and started my nurse training very quickly. Thirteen years on, I have never looked back.”
Shayla on her motorbike
Kate White, Head of Nursing, says: “It is a pleasure to welcome Shayla to our community nursing team in Thanet. She joins a team of experts providing high quality service to the people of east Kent and I am sure will be a great asset with her wealth of experience.”
Shayla added: “I have always been a community nurse since qualifying in 2010, became team lead in 2015 and completed my District Nurse degree in 2018-2019.
“I became an end-of-life champion for the community nurses and really loved the EOL/palliative side of my role. When I decided it was time to change my pathway, I saw the job advertised for the palliative specialist role and jumped at the chance.
“The team at Thanet are amazing, I have never felt so supported.”
Shayla explained: “It’s really important to look after your own wellbeing, and when I’m not working, I enjoy riding my motorbike, reading, and watch a lot of comedy to relax. I have lots of reptiles too, so I am always pre-occupied looking after someone or something!”
If you’re interested in a nursing or care career at Pilgrims, we’d love to hear from you.
Check out our current vacancies for more information and apply today:
Pilgrims Hospices cares for thousands of local people each year, free of charge, during the most challenging time in their lives. They offer care and support in people’s own homes, in the community and in their inpatient units as well as running a 24-hour advice line.
