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 19th 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/
We're changing lives across Teesside by supporting people and families who've been affected by a terminal illness.
As part of Volunteers Week, we caught up with a team of our café volunteers to find out what a day of volunteering in the café entails, and why they chose to support Teesside Hospice.
Alice came to Teesside Hospice when she needed some additional care - and our kind, compassionate team were more than happy to offer this to her. Read more about her experience staying on our In-Patient Unit.
Donna, who received support from our Bereavement Counselling Service, shares her experience and thanks.
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