A pair of volunteers are reaching out to the Tiverton community to garner volunteering support for our local hospice charity.
Jeff and Jane volunteer in Hospiscare’s charity shop in the centre of Tiverton. After hearing that we are struggling to recruit volunteers to the area, the pair stepped forward to share their positive experience of volunteering with our charity to encourage others in the area to step forward this Volunteers’ Week.
Tiverton shop volunteer, Jane Dreyer
Jane explains, “I started volunteering for Hospiscare a year ago. I’ve always known about Hospiscare and the important work they do because of my work in care. I walked into the shop one day on my way home and asked, ‘What do I have to do to become a volunteer?’ It was as simple as that.
“I volunteer for Hospiscare because it’s fun. It’s a lovely group of people who are very diverse. I also love playing with things in the shop that aren’t mine! It’s a lovely bunch of people and a very good cause. We have fun, and if it’s not fun, I won’t be doing it!”
Hospiscare cares for over 2,000 patients and their families every year across Exeter, central and east Devon. In April, we opened a new centre called Holly Tree Place in the centre of town. Services such as outpatient appointments with palliative care specialists, symptom management clinics and bereavement support are available to patients and their families in Tiverton and the surrounding areas.
Our hospice largely depends on the support of our community to generate the funds needed to provide specialist end-of-life care at no cost to our patients and their families. With just 24% of our charity’s funding coming from the NHS, fundraising and volunteering are essential to maintain Hospiscare’s services.
Tiverton shop volunteer, Jeff Blackmore
Jeff continues, “I’ve volunteered for Hospiscare for nine years and I’m passionate about Hospiscare and its services – that’s what’s kept me here all this time. My younger brother and my wife were both cared for by Hospiscare. It is an essential service, and I find it so worthwhile volunteering here. I love it.”
Hospiscare is looking to recruit volunteers to our new shop on Market Walk, as well as people who are interested in setting up a fundraising support group in the area to run events such as coffee mornings, raffles and plant sales to raise vital funds for our local charity.
Jane concludes, “It feels good to get involved with your colleagues – you know what’s going on in their lives, when they’re having a hard time or they’re elated about something. We’re important to each other.”
To find out more about volunteering for your local hospice, please click here.
