Gail's Story

Gail's Story

How long have you volunteered with Teesside Hospice?

1 year and 3 months

Which area of Teesside Hospice do you volunteer in and what do you do day to day?

In patient mealtime support. What I do is I go around on a morning and ask what the inpatients would like for dinner and tea – they usually have a choice of 3 starters, 3 mains, and 4 or 5 desserts. Then I have to record it on their sheets outside of their bedroom. I then set up the trays, cutlery, condiments. I then help out in the kitchen for a little bit. At half past 12 I take the meals down to the inpatients. When I collect the plates you have to tick how much they have eaten on their rooms. I then take the empty plates back to the kitchen and clean them.

What is the reason you started to volunteer with Teesside Hospice?

Because I had worked in patient care since I was 19, and I do quite like the contact you have with the patients and have a chat to them. I am retired now so I have a bit more spare time on my hands.

What has your experience been like volunteering with Teesside Hospice?

It has been lovely – everybody is lovely. The staff are lovely, the doctors are lovely, the people who work in the kitchen are lovely. Nothing is too much bother for any of the staff.

What has volunteering with Teesside Hospice done for you?

It makes you more aware of what other people are going through and that you should appreciate what you’ve got. It has made me more aware of what I have in life. It makes me feel like I am giving a little bit to people.

Do you have any advice for potential Teesside Hospice volunteers?

Just come in and give it a go. Everyone is very helpful when you first start. You will feel better about yourself and feel like you are giving something to society.

Do you see the difference that your volunteering makes?

Yes – it makes a difference to the kitchen staff to have somebody come in.

THANK YOU! To Gail and all of our volunteers here at Teesside Hospice.

If you wish to tell your story, contact volunteering@teessidehospice.co.uk

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