Jon Davey became a community volunteer in November 2019, supporting local patients in the comfort of their own homes across the High Peak and Hope Valley.
The Buxton resident regularly attended the hospice’s prostate cancer support group, following his diagnosis with the condition in 2009.
Jon used to be a consultant for safety and occupational health management, working in schools and colleges. He has also owned a bakery, been a taxi driver, steel worker, social worker, manager, industrial trainer, and a teacher, both in the UK and in Sudan.
Now retired, Jon explained: ‘Volunteering was really just something I fancied doing; I have always volunteered my time in my local community and I recognised the fact that I missed doing this. I like being with people and talking to them. The opportunity to join the Community Volunteer programme came up, and I recognised that I needed this fulfilment so I signed up. I found the volunteer training really useful; it refreshed skills I have already, and taught me new ones.
‘I provide companionship to patients, and carer respite for their families, so that they can go shopping, run errands or to meet friends, to give them a break from caring for their loved one, which can be exhausting and all-consuming. I have also been on hand to help with immediate need for carer breaks, where partners or carers have needed to leave quickly, so I’ve been able to step in to sit with the patient for a few hours.
‘I really like meeting new people, and I feel like I’ve been of use by helping out and feel very much a part of my local community. It is a real honour to share time with people at this stage in their lives. I have a real sense of fulfilment in my role, and would definitely recommend it to other people, who might have some spare time to help others. Julie, the hospice’s volunteer manager, and the team are always there with support. The whole picture is very rewarding: to be useful, to be appreciated, and to appreciate people.’
Find out more about volunteering opportunities at Blythe House and Helen’s Trust.
