Arleen and Rosie find paw-fect volunteer role at Pilgrims Hospices
Arleen Paton-Smith and her dog, Rosie, from Birchington, are helping to make a difference to Pilgrims Hospices patients who are living with an incurable illness.
Rosie is a Maltese Terrier and Bichon Frise cross-breed and registered as a Pets As Therapy (PAT) dog. She visits the Margate hospice once a week with Arleen, so that patients can experience the many calming, anxiety-reducing benefits that come through interacting with animals.
Arleen said: “Rosie has a special pink sparkly collar and lead, which we keep for visiting so she knows where we are going when I put it on her. As soon as we arrive at the hospice she can’t wait to go in.”
Rosie is always very keen to see the patients and often gently talks to them, even if it’s to ask for a treat! It can be a pleasant distraction for them to welcome her. Many patients have had their own pets and miss them, so getting a cuddle with Rosie brings back lovely memories.
Arleen
Arleen and Rosie visit on Thursday mornings when patients coping with a life limiting illness at home come into the hospice for a day. Arleen chats with patients and volunteers, and Rosie greets everyone in her friendly way. Afterwards, they go up to the hospice ward to meet in-patients and their visitors.
Arleen added: “Rosie is always very keen to see the patients and often gently talks to them, even if it’s to ask for a treat! It can be a pleasant distraction for them to welcome her. Many patients have had their own pets and miss them, so getting a cuddle with Rosie brings back lovely memories, which they are happy to share with me. Because she is small and fluffy she is perfect to sit on a lap or even the bed, and you can see the pleasure that having contact with an animal brings to patients.”
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Arleen was a volunteer receptionist for 13 years at the Canterbury hospice, which she thoroughly enjoyed but stopped when she moved to Birchington.
She said: “When Rosie came into my life as a rescue dog, a friend told me about Pets As Therapy and I decided to apply. Happily, we were accepted. I’m a big supporter of Pilgrims and the wonderful work they do, so it’s the perfect place for Rosie and I to volunteer as I don’t have to leave her at home. Our roles with Pilgrims and Pets As Therapy mean that I can still enjoy volunteering but in a different way.
“It is a fact that pets can lower anxiety and blood pressure and be a temporary distraction for patients, family and staff, so I hope that Rosie and I help during our visits in some small way. We certainly enjoy meeting and talking to so many lovely people.”
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.
20th May 2019
Sarah: “I’m helping to provide a great service to the local community”
Sarah Thomson from Canterbury recently became a Volunteer Complementary Therapist at Pilgrims Hospices. After completing her induction, Sarah now offers complementary therapies to hospice patients and carers. Here, she talks about her role and what motivates her to volunteer for Pilgrims.
Complementary therapy has been part of the hospice movement almost from the start. Hospices are holistic. Massage, touch, holding hands, giving people a hug or putting an arm round their shoulder is truly compassionate. It’s something that everyone can benefit from. People with a life limiting illness who are receiving palliative care can become isolated, so any form of calm, caring touch is beneficial.
Sarah giving a back massage at the Canterbury hospice
Sarah is registered blind and trained in massage and complementary therapies at the Royal National College for the Blind (RNC). She has volunteered at a pamper day at the Thanet hospice, and aims to keep honing her skills so that she can continue to support local people who are living with an incurable illness.
What made you want to become a complementary therapist?
I have always been interested in holistic therapies. I’ve had my own health problems over the years and I wanted to know how to help myself, so that’s how it started. I offer a variety of therapies including massage and reflexology, which is an ancient technique that uses pressure points on the feet to detect imbalances in the body and helps to clear blockages.
How did you become a volunteer for Pilgrims?
I’d just moved to Canterbury and was walking into town, trying to teach myself the routes. I walked past the Canterbury hospice and thought, ‘I wonder if they need a complementary therapist?’ I expressed an interest and then the Canterbury volunteer centre contacted me and said there were volunteer roles available at Pilgrims Hospices, so I jumped at the opportunity and contacted them straight away. I’m gaining valuable experience and helping to provide a great service to the local community, that’s the main thing.
Through volunteering, how do you hope to develop your skills in the future?
I’m currently training as a reiki practitioner to add to my existing skills. This is a healing therapy where you don’t use your hands, but you do touch the whole body in a set pattern and channel natural energy into it in a very specific way. I’d love to have my own practice eventually. I have a Facebook page because it’s something I really want to build into a profession.
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.
30th July 2018
Shed project offers volunteer opportunities in Canterbury
Please note: This news post was originally published in July 2018; Pilgrims Hospices no longer participates in Tools for Self-Reliance.
As an important part of the Canterbury community, Pilgrims Hospices was proud to be part of the Kent Sheds initiative.
Our Coach House Shed, within the hospice grounds on London Road in Canterbury, is already in use several mornings a week with the Tools for Self-Reliance, Canterbury ‘Shedders’. Pilgrims Hospices is working with them to open up the shed opportunities to the people of Canterbury, to meet, work, learn and have fun! The Sheds Kent & Medway andGroundworkgrant will enable us to offer more voluntary opportunitiesfor people to meet together, provide maintenance and offer up their gardening skills, to improve the environment of the hospice.
The idea behind the shed movement is to provide a space where all ‘Shedders’ are more likely to thrive in an informal space, within the company of their peers, through engaging in practical activities. These provide sharing skills and learning from others – all whilst helping the community.
The project will help to cut down on isolation and give opportunites for our residents to meet and learn new skills.
Heather Sawney, former Project Lead
Through the shed project, volunteers can overcome their own life challenges. Whatever their circumstances, they can meet, work and achieve together.
Former project lead, Heather Sawney, explained: “The community around the hospice is diverse. It includes students, retirees, and ex-military amongst many others. The project will help to cut down on isolation and give opportunities for our residents to meet and learn new skills.
“Currently, at our Canterbury site, we don’t particularly target certain groups in our community. Through this project, we will openly promote more variety in our volunteering opportunities. Some volunteers may choose to work with Tools for Self Reliance; working to renovate pre-loved tools and equipment. The tool-kits will help those in developing countries find financial independence and sustainability.
“We look forward to welcoming you to our Canterbury site – just bring your enthusiasm; tea, coffee, and biscuits will be provided in a relaxed and pleasant environment.”
Pilgrims Hospices is a charity that provides specialist palliative care for people with life-limiting illnesses in east Kent. It is independent of the NHS and receives only a small percentage of funding of its £11 million running costs, which means the remainder must be raised by donations and fundraising activities. By volunteering you will make a huge difference to Pilgrims community – thank you.
