Volunteering Helped Me Get My Confidence Back

Carol's Testimonial 

How long have you volunteered with Teesside Hospice?

Just over 7 years.

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

The coffee shop, and recently reception also. In the coffee shop it is self explanatory – I do coffee shop duties, not just for people who visit the hospice, but the public also.

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

I lost my husband in December 2014 and came to bereavement counselling at the hospice. I had counselling for a year which for me worked. I felt I wanted to pay back in some shape or form. When I started at the hospice, it was a year after my husbands death, I had lost confidence and was very vulnerable. When I was getting counselled, the counsellor asked me what I want to get out of counselling, I said “I have lost Carol, I want Carol back”. And after a year, Carol was nearly back, but then being in the coffee shop and building up my confidence, meeting lots of people, and being in a happy atmosphere, it really brought me back to life.

What has your experience been like volunteering with Teesside Hospice?

In a nutshell, I get more from it than I give. It is a lovely place to be. Your view of a hospice is doom and gloom, and part of it is death and grieving, but not all of it, and it is a very happy environment. All the people who work here, from the CEO and across the board, without exception, everyone is really nice, really friendly, and appear to be really happy to work here. That is certainly my experience.

What has volunteering with Teesside Hospice done for you?

When I started, I was very vulnerable, and very nervous. One of the long term volunteers who was a widow also took me under my wing and was a saviour. She helped build me back up again, and got me involved in all sorts of things, and was very kind to me. I would like to do that for other people too.

Do you have any advice for potential Teesside Hospice volunteers?

My advice would be to keep smiling. You will get a lot out of it, and you’ll love it – everyone is really friendly.

THANK YOU! To Carol 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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