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, 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.”
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”
Inspired to become a Pilgrims’ volunteer?
Visit pilgrimshospices.org/volunteer and look out for more stories and information throughout Volunteers’ Week!
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.
