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.
Betty helps Pilgrims Hospices Lottery fund local hospice care
90-year-old Betty Rye from Cheriton has been a volunteer lottery collector for 17 years, helping Pilgrims Hospices Lottery to raise vital funds for local palliative care.
Back in 2002, Betty was asked if she’d like to volunteer for Pilgrims as a lottery collector in the building where she lives. She took to the role immediately, and it fits in perfectly with the sociable lifestyle she enjoys with fellow residents.
She said: “It’s a brilliant way to get involved with a great cause. My brother had cancer so I thought Pilgrims was a good charity, and some of my friends have personal connections, too. I’m happy we’re doing this for Pilgrims.”
It’s a brilliant way to get involved with a great cause. My brother had cancer so I thought Pilgrims was a good charity, and some of my friends have personal connections, too. I’m happy we’re doing this for Pilgrims.
Betty
Betty plays Pilgrims Hospices Lottery every week and there is also a collection tin in the building. Over the years, Betty and her fellow residents have raised over £2,000 in the tins alone, plus much more through lottery collections. Betty takes the tin to a coffee morning every Wednesday and people fill it up with spare change. Every little makes a big difference.
She added: “I enjoy having a chat with everyone as I collect, and also seeing Wendy from Pilgrims who comes to collect the money from me.
“It’s really nice, and as a group we have the pleasure of knowing that our money is going to a very worthy cause.”
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.
Joan: “I enjoy volunteering at the hospice because it’s so varied”
Joan Austin from Westgate chose to volunteer for Pilgrims Hospices after retiring, having spent 25 years in construction industry publishing and 15 years working in a government IT quango.
Here, she shares what she loves about volunteering and the positive things she’s learnt about local hospice care.
Joan started volunteering at Pilgrims Hospice Thanet in 2013. She has had several roles, and currently does a regular weekly shift in the fundraising office helping with banking, which is a very important and valued role.
Alongside her volunteer role at Pilgrims, Joan keeps active with line dancing, walking netball and pickleball, which is like table tennis on a badminton court. She also volunteers for Canterbury Archaeology Trust, cleaning the finds that have been excavated in Kent including bones, pottery and clothes.
Why did you decide to volunteer for Pilgrims and what do you enjoy about it?
I was approaching retirement (I know, I look too young to have retired!) and making a list of things I might like to do with my free time. I enjoy volunteering at the hospice because it’s so varied – I’ve volunteered on the hospice reception, the outpatient clinic reception and now in the fundraising office. It’s nice to have the opportunity to take on different roles. Variety is the spice of life!
What positive things have you learned about Pilgrims that others might not know?
I’ve made lots of friends here. I didn’t realise the hospice provides all the services that it does, and I’ve enjoyed going to meetings where staff talk about the role they play. The atmosphere is cheerier than people think and it’s nice to chat and joke with patients, I think they enjoy the normality of it.
I’ve made a lot of friends here. The atmosphere is cheerier than people think and it’s nice to chat and joke with patients.
Joan
Karen Kenward, Community Fundraising Manager, said: “Joan is very concise and accurate in her role. She also helps out at many fundraising events on the registration desks. She is knowledgeable and creative, and so giving. Joan also paints stones and makes teapot cosies in her spare time, helping to bring in vital funds for our craft events. She gets to count her very own funds generated through her wonderful talents. It’s a real pleasure working with Joan as part of the Thanet team, her smiley face and chit-chat is so very warming each week.”
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.
3rd June 2019
Derek shines as fantastic fundraising volunteer for Pilgrims
Derek Kemp from Folkestone chose to volunteer for Pilgrims Hospices after his wife, Jean, was cared for at the Canterbury hospice. Here, he shares what he loves about volunteering for Pilgrims and why he’s motivated to support his local hospice charity.
Jean spent the last five weeks of her life in Pilgrims Hospice Canterbury during January and February 2016.
Derek said: “At the time, she actually asked me how much this was all going to cost, to which I replied that was the least of her worries! The care she received and the wonderful consideration given to the whole family at this difficult time is something that will always remain with me. It was an amazing experience.
“I felt that I wanted to give something back. Being recently retired, I decided that I’d like to help in any way I could with fundraising for Pilgrims. Our son, Martin, organised a Grand Charity Ball at the Ashford International Hotel for family and friends in January 2016 for Jean’s 60th birthday. Sadly, Jean couldn’t attend as she was in the hospice, but it was a huge success and raised more than £6,000 for both Pilgrims Hospices and Cancer Research UK.”
What I love most about volunteering at Pilgrims is the variety of everything I get involved with, working with such wonderful people and the satisfaction of raising vital funds for such a worthy cause.
Derek
So, after a 38-year career in the insurance industry, Derek became a Pilgrims volunteer. He also enjoys his role as a violinist with the Folkestone Symphony Orchestra, where he is the current Chairman.
He said: “What I love most about volunteering at Pilgrims is the variety of everything I get involved with, working with such wonderful people and the satisfaction of raising vital funds for such a worthy cause. I like fundraising as it’s something I used to do when working in a busy office environment, encouraging staff to support charitable causes.
Derek at a fundraising event
“I now help to run the Folkestone fundraising group with Ginny Taylor – together, we make a great team! We organise monthly coffee mornings and bingo sessions in the community, as well as managing store collections and the Christmas market in Elham with other volunteers.
“I also volunteer at the larger Pilgrims events where I can usually be seen in a high vis jacket, either marshalling or on car park duties. I recently helped sign the route for Pilgrims Hospices Cycle Challenge, including taking signage down at the end. Oh, and I help out with Tree Recycling!”
Derek’s personal experience of the charity, combined with his volunteering role, has given him a positive insight into local hospice care. He said: “I’ve come to learn that Pilgrims offer so many more valuable services than I’d originally expected. It’s pleasing and encouraging to know that the charity is continuing to explore new ideas, too. Not only will this benefit people preparing for the end of their life, but it will also support families during their own period of need, both before and after bereavement.
“My volunteer role has introduced me to so many new friends since I retired. I enjoy working with these lovely people for the same cause, and the challenge, together with the satisfaction, of raising vital funds for Pilgrims.”
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.
Judy: “I have met so many inspirational people”
Judy Landi from Ramsgate has been a reception volunteer at Pilgrims Hospice Thanet for 26 years, welcoming patients and visitors and helping to make them feel comfortable. Here, she shares what she loves about her volunteer role.
When a patient or visitor first arrives, Judy offers them a cup of tea or coffee or recommends a nice meal in the nearby hospice cafe. She said: “I enjoy chatting with people and getting to know them. It is such a friendly, positive place. I have made many friends and met so many inspirational people.”
It is such a friendly, positive place. I have made many friends and met so many inspirational people.
Judy
Before she started volunteering, Judy enjoyed working as a carer in the local community. She retired early to look after her two grandsons while her daughter worked, and also to spend time with her mum who was unwell. She added:
“I didn’t realise how many services the hospice provides. There is a day centre where patients living at home can come once a week and enjoy the company of others. This gives the family or carer time to themselves while knowing that their loved one is being looked after. Complementary therapies, reflexology and massage are also offered for relaxation.
“I hope to continue volunteering for many more years.”
Karen Kenward, Community Fundraising Manager, said: “Judy’s passion for the hospice really shines through. The time she has spent sitting, talking and serving teas and coffees over the years to the many visitors and patients we have each week makes Pilgrims what it is today. Thank you, Judy, for your incredible support.”
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.
Pamela: “I enjoy raising awareness about local hospice care”
Pamela Possee from Stowting chose to volunteer for Pilgrims Hospices after having successful surgery for malignant melanoma. She felt it was appropriate to support the local charity that helps people across east Kent who are living with life-limiting illness.
Pamela has experience as an event organiser in the business sector and a project manager and mentor in the voluntary sector, where she worked to empower vulnerable people. She is a valued volunteer at the Ashford hospice, sorting through thousands of donated goods and getting stock ready for fundraising events, such as the Summer Garden Party, Ashford Christmas Fair and Craft Market and lots of community raffles.
What I love most about volunteering for Pilgrims is that it’s flexible and varied, and it’s a very positive and friendly environment.
Pamela
She said: “Before I started volunteering, I didn’t know that Pilgrims offer such a wide range of services. I enjoy talking to everyone I meet and raising awareness about local hospice care.
“What I love most about volunteering for Pilgrims is that it’s flexible and varied, and it’s a very positive and friendly environment. There are so many different roles available for various skills and abilities. I want to continue to help the local community for a long time to come.”
Kate Duddell, Fundraising Manager, said: “Pamela is a wonderful asset to Pilgrims. She is dedicated and supportive of our work in the community. She is precise and detailed in her role sorting through and managing the large volumes of items the charity is gifted by our community. Pamela also supports other fundraising initiatives, from evening events to manning the highly successful chocolate tombola at our Christmas Fair.
“She is an incredible individual who gives her time so generously.”
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.
