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.
29th May 2020
Pilgrims marks Volunteers’ Week with “WE MISS YOU!” message
Staff and trustees at Pilgrims Hospices are counting down the days to Volunteers’ Week 2020. Now in its 36th year, Volunteers’ Week is held annually to celebrate the incredible contributions of millions of volunteers across the UK.
In east Kent, more than 1600 people volunteer for Pilgrims’ and all work varying hours in a wide range of roles. From receptionist to retailer, fundraiser to therapist, gardener to caterer, the skills and experiences volunteers bring to the charity are vast.
The COVID-19 pandemic has put on pause many voluntary activities, but Pilgrims’ is determined to celebrate and recognise the enormous difference volunteers make.
Jeff Southon, Pilgrims’ Volunteer Services & HR Manager, comments: “Since late March this year, almost all of our volunteers have only been able to support us from home but they have been doing it in a variety of new ways. Our message to them is – we miss you!
“We are very much looking forward to the day we can welcome back our volunteers. This week is all about saying thank you all for your unstinting support.”
Volunteers are the backbone of our organisation
Helen Bennett – Pilgrims Hospices Acting CEO
During lockdown, volunteers have donated to Pilgrims’ Still here, Still Caring fundraising appeal, and supported the charity’s new care initiatives Matching Hearts and #stayathomehospicehero. They have also been volunteering in other roles to help others during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pilgrims’ Acting CEO, Helen Bennett, says: “It has been said many times, but it remains the case, that volunteers are the backbone of our organisation, and now more than ever they are the backbone of our communities.
“We are currently working on how we can safely restore some of our voluntary activities and will keep our volunteers up-to-date on developments. We want to send a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to all our volunteers during Volunteers’ Week 2020.”
20 18826 Volunteers Week 1 7 June 2048x1149 8
Volunteers’ Week takes place 1-7 June every year. It’s a chance to celebrate and say thank you for the contribution millions of volunteers make across the UK. As well as helping others, volunteering has been shown to improve volunteers’ wellbeing. The estimated value of volunteers helping charities in the UK is £22.6 billion.
Please note that many of our volunteer roles are currently paused to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
We look forward to welcoming our volunteers back on board once the current situation improves.
For current information about all Pilgrims Hospices services, including for volunteers, during the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic, please visit pilgrimshospices.org/covid-19.
Pilgrims Hospices has been caring for the people of east Kent for more than 37 years, having opened its first hospice in Canterbury in 1982. Its two other locations were opened at Thanet in 1992 and at Ashford in 2001. The charity provides palliative care for adults with a range of incurable illnesses including cancer, heart failure, respiratory conditions and neurological diseases. Care is provided from the three sites, in patients’ homes and via community programmes.
26th February 2020
Jane’s passion for painting with textiles
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.
5th June 2019
Holly: “I’m pleased to volunteer for a local charity that does so much within our community”
Holly Swan from Aylesham is a busy mum, student and research intern at Canterbury Christ Church University but still makes time to support Pilgrims Hospices as a volunteer.
Holly found herself becoming involved as a volunteer when she spotted a Pilgrims fundraising event that piqued her interest. She said: “I’ve always expressed an interest in how charities organise and manage fundraising events; I saw the festive Santas on the Run, it looked really fun and I wanted to get into the Christmas spirit by giving my time.
Pilgrims is truly a safe haven of support for people at the end of their lives. Importantly, that support extends to patients’ families and friends who may need help and guidance when caring for loved ones.
Holly
“I volunteered to help with the event registrations on the day, it was a great way to meet new people and to feel like part of the Pilgrims team was something really positive. It was great being able to give the Santas a smile and some encouragement before their run.
“There are so many amazing people doing so much to support our local hospice, it’s brilliant to be involved with the fundraising events, I’m hoping to help with Divas on Wheels and several other events this year.
“It’s apparent from the supporters I’ve met and from personal experiences spoken of by my husband and his family, Pilgrims is truly a safe haven of support for people at the end of their lives. Importantly, that support extends to patients’ families and friends who may need help and guidance when caring for loved ones.
“I’m pleased to volunteer for a local charity that does so much within our community.”
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.
Lorraine: “Pilgrims is a service we all may need at some point”
Lorraine Ludlow from Herne Bay chose to volunteer for Pilgrims Hospices after her dad, Peter Jury, was cared for at the Canterbury hospice in 2013.
Lorraine was a teacher at Canterbury College for many years but retired when she was diagnosed with cancer. She had successful treatment, and whilst donating some of her dad’s things to a Pilgrims shop she saw they were looking for volunteers. So, she decided to get involved.
Volunteering for Pilgrims is great, you’ll feel appreciated and it’s so worthwhile – you’re doing your bit to give back to a service we all may need at some point.
Lorraine
She said: “I’m a people person and there’s such a lovely community spirit within the shops. I wanted to give something back after what Pilgrims did for my dad, and I knew it would also give me something to focus on after my cancer treatment.
“It’s great working with volunteers across different areas, it’s so varied – you never know what’s going to happen. Sometimes you get these gems come in and it’s like a treasure hunt! It’s nice having a role I really enjoy.”
Although she knew about Pilgrims’ three hospices and some of its shops, through volunteering Lorraine learnt about the wider services available for patients and families. She added: “There’s so much more to it than just the very end of life. The support of the community is fantastic and surprised me, too. People are so generous.”
Asked why others should get involved, Lorraine said: “Volunteering for Pilgrims gives you a sense of belonging, the shops especially are like a little community. Everyone looks out for each other, it’s very social.
“It’s great, you’ll feel appreciated and it’s so worthwhile – you’re doing your bit to give back to a service we all may need at some point.”
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.
Sherie: “It’s a perfect way to meet new friends and try something new”
Sherie Jacques from Ramsgate volunteers as a Catering Assistant at Pilgrims Hospice Thanet. After her mum was diagnosed with lung cancer last year, Sherie gave up full-time work to become her carer. As her mum stabilised, Sherie found she had some spare time and decided to volunteer for her local hospice charity.
Volunteering offers Sherie a flexible way to keep busy and give back to the community whilst still being able to care for her mum. She said: “One day, my friend sent me a link to a skydive fundraiser on the Pilgrims Facebook page. I’ve been interested in doing one for a while, though I haven’t quite got there… yet!
“From there I went on to Pilgrims’ website and found the volunteer section. I originally applied for a reception role, welcoming people into the hospice, but then discovered that volunteers were needed in the kitchen. I had catering experience and knew the role would be challenging and keep me busy.”
I never get bored. Everyone is so nice and welcoming, and I feel I’m really doing something to help not only the hospice staff but the patients, too. I get to have a laugh with everyone and there is always a thank you at the end of each shift.
Sherie
Sherie volunteers twice a week and loves her varied shifts. She added: “I never get bored. Everyone is so nice and welcoming, and I feel I’m really doing something to help not only the hospice staff but the patients, too. I get to have a laugh with everyone and there is always a thank you at the end of each shift. Sometimes a new recipe or twist on an old favourite even gets tried at home.”
Asked what she’s learnt about hospice care and if she’d recommend volunteering to others, Sherie said: “There is so much going on at the Pilgrims; activity days, counselling, fundraising events to name just a few. It goes without saying that they are there for the patients primarily but offer so many services to carers and families as well. Oh, and the food is pretty amazing too!
“If you’re looking to volunteer there are so many things that you can help with, from driving, reception shifts, gardening, flower arranging, catering or even in the shops. The kitchen is my favourite, of course! It’s a perfect way to meet new friends and try something new.”
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.
