Dawn's Volunteering Story

We’re so lucky to be supported by amazing volunteers over the festive season, who help us provide care, offer a friendly welcome for visitors, and much more. This includes Dawn, who has been volunteering with Teesside Hospice for 4 years and gives up her time on Christmas Day to help patients and visitors feel as special as possible:

“My name is Dawn, I have been a volunteer at Teesside Hospice for 4 years. I started my volunteering on the reception desk on the In-Patient Unit, then progressed onto the main reception where I meet and greet patients, families and visitors making them feel welcome with a bright smile, I answer the telephone and put callers through to the correct dept or person.

I find volunteering very rewarding. I was a patient with lymphedema and the treatment I received was absolutely first class, the nursing team were fantastic nothing was too much trouble and that is why I wanted to give back to a deserving charity.

Just recently I was chosen to represent Teesside Hospice as I volunteer on a Christmas Day, to meet Sara Davies who stars on Dragon’s Den and is hosting her own crafting show on ITV1 on Friday’s. I was lucky to be invited to a get together for other volunteers or staff from other Hospice’s who give up their time on Christmas Day to meet 2 celebrities which were Rosie Ramsey and Tamika, we enjoyed a glass of prosecco and some finger food and got to look at lots of lovely Christmas decorations and table decorations that Sara and her guests had made. It was a very enjoyable evening and I look forward to watching that episode which is going to be aired on the 19^th December.

I think it is important to make the relatives of our patients feel welcome on this special day as it may be their loved one’s last Christmas so it can be a sad/happy occasion so we try and make it extra special to make everlasting memories to cherish.”

To find out more about volunteering with Teesside Hospice, visit https://www.teessidehospice.org/volunteer/