Gill’s story

In the photo:

For Volunteers’ Week 2020, St Wilfrid’s Hospice asked Gill, a Host volunteer, about what she enjoys about the role

Gill said:

“Oh gosh, there’s so much! I enjoy being able to forget about things and just concentrate on what’s going on here. It’s just so rewarding to feel you are helping others in some small way.”

What did your volunteers do?

Host volunteers continued to come into the hospice from the very start of the pandemic when we were unsure how it would affect our care provision and how we were to keep our workforce and patients safe from this new virus.

Host volunteers quickly adapted to wearing full PPE including scrubs and visors so that they could continue to deliver meals and hospitality to our patients, including those with COVID -19.

With a welcoming smile, Hosts helped friends and family to navigate risk assessments, PPE and testing requirements so that they could visit their loved ones safely in line with our visiting policy.

How did your volunteers make a difference?

The clinical teams have been under considerable strain over the past 18 months which would have been far worse were it not for our incredible team of hosts. Hosts showed courage and bravery, making sure patients were well fed, often working in isolation rooms and under the most challenging of circumstances.

Thanks to the hosts, the hospice has been able to continue to care for patients throughout the pandemic. It has been a roller coaster ride of a year and the host team have taken all of it in their stride.

Volunteering in East Sussex is thriving.

It happens in plain view – like in charity shops and at food banks – but it’s also often happening behind the scenes in informal ways, like when neighbours help each other out. Whether visible or invisible, it all matters.

Get in touch