“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.
7th June 2021
Caring counselling through COVID-19
Thanks to Pilgrims Hospices wonderful volunteer counsellors, patients, carers and families have been able to continue accessing vital counselling support throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Here, they share what it’s been like and why this service is so important.
Jill Poll
Jill is from Whitstable and began volunteering at Pilgrims Hospices after 12 years working in a private counselling practice, with particular interests in bereavement and supporting teenagers.
“I started volunteering as a counsellor at Pilgrims Hospices during the pandemic. Even though I’ve been working remotely, it’s been a privilege to be able to help patients, carers and the bereaved. Of course, it’s tricky not seeing people face-to-face – reading body language is such an important part of counselling – but any contact with those in need is vital, especially in the times we’re living through. It’s so important to just be there and offer support.
“I enjoy knowing that I can make a difference; if I can help someone even one tiny bit, I’ve done my job. When someone knows they are dying or is caring for someone at the end of life, they just want to feel heard. Often, they don’t want to worry their families with their own anxieties and fear, so this is where counsellors can step in and play a crucial role.
“Pilgrims is such a wonderful place. I’m really looking forward to being able to counsel people face-to-face in the near future. I’ve also only met my colleagues virtually via Zoom, so it will be lovely to finally catch up in person and feel even more a part of the hospice team.”
Maureen Fenner
Maureen is from Ashford and qualified as a counsellor in 2014; she joined Pilgrims as a volunteer counsellor in 2018 after many years working in the voluntary sector. She also runs her own private counselling practice.
At three months old, Maureen contracted polio, which paralysed both her arms and also affects her legs; she uses a powered wheelchair and drives a specially adapted van. Overcoming her own adversity helps her relate to others’ emotions with a clear understanding, and she enjoys being able to help people in this way.
“Counselling people brings me a sense of purpose, and throughout the pandemic it helped me deal with my feelings regarding my own place within the locked down world.
“Working with clients at this time gave me focus. Listening to others dealing with their own significant difficulties, sharing their worries, and gradually forming a therapeutic relationship with them, I found to be a great help to me.”
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.
6th June 2021
Heather: “Pilgrims is a happy, vibrant, positive place”
Heather Stratton from Pluckley near Ashford has generously given her time as a volunteer for more than 16 years.
Over the years she’s played several important support roles for Pilgrims Therapy Centre, and also on the hospice wards as a patient-facing volunteer alongside the Health Care Assistants.
Heather said: “When we moved to the area in 2002, I had already retired from my working life. We were attending a cream tea at our local church where I met a Pilgrims Hospices nurse and we chatted about the work they do for the local community. I was immediately interested and decided to investigate how I could help in a volunteer role. Since then I’ve never looked back.
“After making an application and meeting some members of the Pilgrims team, I was accepted as a volunteer and spent several very happy years in the Therapy Centre supporting patients who travelled from home for regular treatments and support at the hospice site.
“In 2011, I joined the newly launched Ashford hospice ‘Buddy’ programme; designed to train volunteers to achieve skills enabling them to work in a supporting role in the Therapy Centre, and on the ward. On completion of my training, I continued volunteering in the Therapy Centre, then in 2014 I transferred to the ward, assisting the HCAs with the patients’ personal care, feeding, moving and handling and psycho-social care. I am also required to complete the annual e-learning and mandatory moving and handling training provided by Pilgrims.”
I’m missing my regular visits to the hospice, it has been a strange world for the past year without my friends at Pilgrims.
Heather
As time has progressed, Pilgrims has reviewed and adapted the Buddy role and we are now excited to launch the new Ward Support Volunteer role. These trained volunteers will support the teams at all three of our hospices and will be an integral part of the team supporting patients and their loved ones on the wards. Annie Hogben, Expert Volunteer Development Lead at Pilgrims hopes to encourage many more people to become part of this very important team.
Annie told us: “We as a team have taken time during this challenging year to review our volunteer roles and want to ensure that all our volunteers understand why their skills and support is vital to us going forward. We want our dedicated volunteers to feel fully equipped with the skills and knowledge required, especially when supporting patients on our wards.”
Heather has not returned to her volunteer role on the ward as yet due to current restrictions. Every precaution is still in place to ensure everyone remains safe and well.
I’m just helping to give care and support to people who are entering the final phase of their life, so that they may feel loved and cared for in their final journey, in an atmosphere of peace and dignity.
Heather
Heather added: “I usually volunteer for a full day shift each week and I’m always happy to do more to help if needed. I’m missing my regular visits to the hospice, it has been a strange world for the past year without my friends at Pilgrims.
“I’m often asked why I volunteer at the hospice, and is it a very sad place to be? It really is quite the opposite, it’s a happy, vibrant, positive place, full of extremely talented and knowledgeable care professionals who are making a huge difference to those who need end-of-life care.
“Myself, I look upon the end stage of life just the same as the beginning and middle, a very normal, if poignant part of the cycle of life. I’m just helping to give care and support to people who are entering the final phase of their life, so that they may feel loved and cared for in their final journey, in an atmosphere of peace and dignity.
“A few years ago I was talking to an elderly lady who was sitting at her husband’s bedside. She addressed me as ‘Sister’, so I explained that I was not the Sister but a volunteer carer. She replied, ‘but you’re a sister to me.”
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.
