Jeff began volunteering for Hospiscare in 2016, but this wasn’t his first contact with our hospice charity.
Jeff explains, “In 2011, I cared for my brother in the last six months of his life. He lived in Tiverton and he was picked up every Wednesday to go to the day hospice at Pine Lodge. That was my first exposure to Hospiscare. Before that, I didn’t know much about it.
“When I retired in September 2016, I decided to do some volunteering. A couple of months later, I was passing the Hospiscare shop, and I thought, ‘that’s what I can do’. I went in and signed up that day and that was it.
“I’m known as ‘the book man’ and my main area is sorting the book donations that come in and putting them out on the shelves. I look at any books that may have a bit more value and decide where it would be best to sell them and research how to price them.
“Most of us volunteers have a passion for an area. We’ve all got different interests, and we can make the most of these here.”
Jeff has volunteered for Hospiscare for nine years and also plays our charity’s weekly lottery. He continues, “I’m passionate about Hospiscare and its services – that’s what kept me volunteering here all this time. It’s an amazing, vital service.
“Volunteering is a social thing for me as well. We have such a diverse group of volunteers, and we have a lot of fun. I love it. Sometimes it feels like Christmas, especially when I come across an item of interest or value.”
Hospiscare opened its new Tiverton shop in 2024 and Jeff and his fellow volunteers moved across to the new location on Market Walk. Jeff says, “I had a chap come in recently and say it doesn’t look like a charity shop, it looks like Banburys the department store! When you get a comment like that, it’s just incredible. We all make an effort to present the shop and its items, so hearing feedback like that is so worthwhile.”
Jeff concludes, “When I lost my younger brother and my wife, Hospiscare was there. Hospiscare is an essential service. It’s so worthwhile volunteering here. I get a lot out of it. I love it.”
