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.
24th October 2019
Pilgrims presents Mr & Mrs Claus
As the festive season approaches, Santa Claus’s time is precious. When Pilgrims Hospices made a request for Santa to welcome everyone to their Pre-Loved Christmas Fair, he politely declined and suggested some fine alternatives.
Dave Hall and Trudy Dotchin from Herne Bay will be standing in for the real Santa as Mr & Mrs Claus at Pilgrims Hospices Pre-Loved Christmas Fair on Saturday 23 November, being held at Westgate Hall, Canterbury.
Trudy with some of the fabulous volunteer team from Pilgrims Hospices Herne Bay shop
Dave and Trudy have both retired from roles as teaching assistants in London and live in Herne Bay. Trudy is a regular volunteer at Pilgrims Herne Bay shop and her partner Dave, has been a Santa at school fairs and local events for more than 10 years.
They both have busy lives but love volunteering and being an active part of the local community. Trudy said; “I’ve been a Pilgrims volunteer for around 8 months, I really enjoy being part of the team. I often visited the shop to browse for a bargain, but now the grandchildren are at school, I have more time to offer my help.
I wasn’t bargaining on being nominated to be Mrs. Claus!
Trudy, Pilgrims Hospices Volunteer
“The hospices are such an important and worthwhile part of our community, I’ve had friends who’ve needed their care in the past and I’m very pleased to be able to offer my time to help in the shop now.
“When Charlotte Brown, Pilgrims Area Manager asked if anyone might like to be Santa for the Pre-Loved Christmas Fair, I suggested Dave straight away, however… I wasn’t bargaining on being nominated to be Mrs. Claus! “
Charlotte said: “I’m delighted that Dave and Trudy are helping on the day: the retail Christmas Fair was a brilliant success last year and raised over £3,000 for local hospice care.
“We are busy gathering all things Christmassy for our event and we hope to have even more to offer our customers this year.”
Come along between 10am – 3pm for gifts, trinkets, new toys and games, fancy-dress clothing, festive glamour, brand new with tags, jewellery, and more.
Get into the Christmas spirit and join the Pilgrims retail team on Saturday 23November 10am – 3pm, Westgate Hall, Canterbury CT1 2BT. Email charlotte.brown@pilgrimshospices.org for more information.
Each year Pilgrims Hospices give care and comfort to over 2,500 people in east Kent 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. Every penny raised at the festive fair will be making a difference to people who need Pilgrims care the most.
