Retired driving instructor, Keith, joined the hospice as a volunteer back in January 2011, to support the opening of our department store in Whaley Bridge.
The former district councillor, from Matlock, helped to fit out the shop with shelving, decorating, and painting, before it officially opened in March 2011.
At the time, Keith was still working, supporting learner drivers to pass their tests, so managed his volunteer time around his full-time job. When he retired, Keith started volunteering one or two days per week at the hospice’s Buxton shop, where he continues to support us to this day.
Keith said: ‘I do whatever is needed of me when I am here; sorting through donations and stock in the cellar; working on the till; greeting customers; sorting books or other donations for sale on eBay; or general odd jobs including putting up a towel rail in the kitchen – whatever needs doing!
‘During the Covid-19 pandemic, I supported the setup of the Bakewell shop as it is more local to my hometown, including decorating and fitting clothes rails and shelves. This shop then opened in March 2021, following the easing of Covid restrictions.
‘As the restrictions eased, my wife, Jan, who is also a volunteer, and I, travelled further afield to support the shops where we were needed. We spent some time together at Buxton shop and did a spell in Chapel-en-le-Frith.
‘I get a great sense of satisfaction from volunteering; I love helping people, like in my role as a driving instructor, and making a difference. It’s also a damn good charity and I know the money raised is making a huge difference locally.
‘To other people who are thinking about volunteering, I would say, come and try it! It’s really worthwhile and a great way to spend your spare time. it doesn’t matter what you can offer; all your support and skills will be useful and very much appreciated.’
Find out more about volunteering at one of our hospice shops.
Christine was referred to Blythe House in spring 2021 by her GP at Thornbrook Surgery in Chapel-en-le-Frith after tests revealed that she had cancerous tumours on her lungs and brain.
Christine’s beloved younger son, Simon, tragically died on 31st January 2021 after he was diagnosed with cancer, aged just 35 years old. After this, Christine became unwell and doctors thought she may have had a stroke, but examinations at hospital and an MRI scan found that she’d had seizures as a result of the tumours.
Christine
Christine, who lives in Chapel-en-le-Frith, explained: ‘Dr Newbury referred me to the hospice for advice and support following my diagnosis. I underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy at The Christie Hospital.
‘I carried on having seizures and I just didn’t feel safe. I fell over and broke bones, including my ribs and sternum. I also damaged the bottom of my spine. I was very nervous. Angela and Miriam, the hospice’s physiotherapy and occupational therapy team, have been so very helpful. They suggested a new walker to help me with getting about better, and this has massively improved my confidence and my independence.
‘I attended a makeup session at the hospice aimed at boosting confidence and teaching skills to apply makeup. I loved it so much and felt really good afterwards. After the session, I wore make up for my next hospital appointment; I hadn’t worn it since I had been diagnosed. If you look good, you feel good, and although I don’t feel like me anymore, I try to maintain a positive mental attitude and keep going; this really helps me to cope with my illness.
‘I received support from George Downs, a welfare benefits officer who provided financial support and advice, which was just so beneficial to me. When you’re ill, your brain doesn’t work properly, so going through realms of paperwork with George’s support so was helpful.
‘Healthcare assistants (HCAs) from the Hospice at Home team come to visit me three times per week for personal care, including having a shower. My medication and steroids have made me gain four stone in weight and I am quite embarrassed and self-conscious but the HCAs put me at ease and make me feel so relaxed and comfortable. Philippa has been round just this morning and painted my toe nails!’
Pat
Pat Kirk, a hospice community volunteer, has supported Christine since October 2021.
Pat, who’s from Buxworth, explained: ‘When I first started helping Christine, there were still Covid-19 restrictions in place so we spent a lot of time outdoors. I weeded the driveway, and did some gardening. Then as Christine got to know me better, we started going to the local cafes and shops. At first, Christine was able to walk the short distance locally, but I have also taken her out in the wheelchair. I have done the occasional household chore; we’ve done some baking, and I have taken her to appointments.
‘Over the last few months, as Christine has become less steady on her feet, we started going out for drives in the car, or we might go to garden centres or teashops for coffee and a slice of cake. We’ve also been to buy fresh farm eggs or picked up an ice cream from the Hope Valley!
‘Christine is a very lovely and positive lady, despite all the stresses she has to endure. I enjoy visiting her as I can really see the difference it makes. Supporting Christine has made me so much more aware of what it’s like for people who can’t leave their house on their own. Whenever we’ve been out and about in Chapel-en-le-Frith, she’s met people she’s not seen for a long time, and it’s good to see her chatting with people she’s met by chance. That’s just the sort of interaction the rest of us take for granted.’
Christine added: ‘Pat and I get on so well. We have a nice time and really enjoy each other’s company. Pat has helped me to maintain my independence and keep me mobile by supporting me with little exercises and picking up advice from Angela and Miriam about getting in and out of the house and car safely. Other volunteers have also supported me by taking me to hospital appointments when my family have been unavailable due to work commitments.
‘It has been lovely to get out of the house; in the car or on foot. It feels like I’m on holiday and it takes my mind off everyday things. The times with Pat just bring a bit of normality, and they make me feel like I’m not ill. After being locked in during Covid, it was horrific, but getting out allows me to see and meet people I haven’t seen for so long and have a catch up. We sometimes also go to the cemetery to visit Simon, and my husband, Steve, who died 26 years ago.
‘I had never accessed hospice services before but had always supported the charity. We asked for my donations at both my Mum and Dad’s funerals to come to the hospice; I wanted the money to go to a local charity and be for the community. I have also given lots of my old clothes which no longer fit to the hospice charity shop in the town.
‘The conversations I have with people at the hospice help me to go somewhere else. When you’re ill, you don’t want to talk about illness all the time, and the team don’t do this. They make me laugh and make me forget about my diagnosis.
‘I don’t know what I would’ve done without the hospice; all the team are like family and I am surrounded by good people. You can tell they’re doing their job because they want to, not because they have to. Everyone is so helpful, kind and caring. Without them, I would be stuck indoors on my own. Their visits have increased my quality of life, and helped me to continue living my life despite my illness. I will be forever grateful to everyone.’
Find out more about Blythe House services.
Learn more about the Community Volunteer programme or apply to become a volunteer.
Deirdre has volunteered at our New Mills shop since August 2022, after retiring from her role of 10 years as the shop manager at another charity shop in the town.
Deirdre explained: ‘I was looking for opportunities to volunteer after my retirement, wanting to give something back to the New Mills community. I moved to the town in 2012 and have always felt very much a part of the community.
‘When I retired and had more spare time, I wanted to look for volunteering opportunities where I knew I would be making a difference. I saw a sign on the hospice shop window and plucked up the courage to come in.
‘I met Jayne, the shop manager, and spoke to her about my skills and experience; she was so nice and welcoming. I now support the shop for two shifts a week, and one Saturday a month.
‘I really feel a sense of achievement by volunteering here. It feels so nice to give something back to this small and lovely community, and to support a well-loved local charity. Many customers recognise me from my previous job so it’s lovely to keep in touch with them.
‘Lots of people pop in for a chat, and I really enjoy talking to them; asking how they’re doing and about their backgrounds and families, about their partners or grandchildren for example. They may be experiencing some bad times, but it’s nice to know we can be there for them.
‘We have dog treats behind the counter too, so gets lots of dogs who pay us a visit and know exactly where we are; leading their owners through the door for a little treat!
‘I have a really lovely relationship with fellow volunteers and we get on so well. It is nice to talk to lots of different people; to have something to look forward to and get out of the house for; and I know I am doing a good and worthwhile job.’
Find out more about volunteering roles at the hospice and our shops.
Jane began volunteering at Blythe House in January 2017, following her retirement from a long and successful career as a social worker.
Jane had previously accessed care and support at the hospice in 2013, when she was diagnosed with breast cancer, and says that she ‘got a lot of benefit’ from doing so.
After undergoing extensive surgery and treatment, Jane was able to go back to full-time work.
A few years later, an opportunity arose for Jane to take early retirement, and she decided, after everything she’d been through, that life is too short, and she took the offer.
After settling down into retirement for a few months and getting used to her new routine, Jane got in touch with the hospice to offer her support as a volunteer.
Jane, who’s from Chinley, explained: ‘At first I was a befriender during patient day care services. I would meet and chat to patients, offer refreshments, and sometimes help out in the kitchen to make and serve lunches. Then, I’d support the afternoon groups facilitated by the hospice nurses.
‘When the Community Volunteer programme launched, I very much wanted to get involved, and I was one of the first community volunteers to go through training. I visited people in their homes, picked up shopping and prescriptions, and took people to hospital and doctor’s appointments. Then Covid-19 hit, and I continued to support local patients in-line with the ongoing rules and guidance.
‘I then became quite interested in reception duties, and liked the idea of meeting patients and visitors at the hospice; answering the phone and problem solving. I love the buzz of people coming in and out, helping with telephone queries and liaising with staff to support our patients. I sometimes stay on into the afternoon to help with the social peer support sessions by hosting a quiz or doing some baking.
‘I feel I bring good transferrable skills from my career which help me in my role; and I hope that because of my experiences, I am able to relate to patients who can often be frightened coming to the hospice, by chatting to them and putting them at ease.
‘I love being part of the hospice team; I don’t miss working full-time, but I did miss being part of a team, and I definitely get that feeling of team-work and fulfilment here.
‘I feel valued and supported in my role, and I am treated with respect. The team is always on hand to answer my queries and I always feel listened to, and never dismissed.
‘The hospice really is a great place to volunteer; you are well supported and well trained. It is a really enjoyable place to be; I feel I have a lot of purpose after my retirement and it gives me structure to my week. It’s also a real privilege to know you’re giving something back, and doing something for other people.’
Find out more about the range of volunteering roles at Blythe House and Helen’s Trust.
Lizzie and Becky have supported the hospice as volunteer gardeners since May 2020. They come to the hospice on an ad-hoc basis, either on their own or together as a team, to help the plants and shrubs in the tranquil garden to thrive for patients, volunteers and staff to enjoy.
Becky (left) and Lizzie (right)
The summer months are particularly enjoyable in the garden, as you’d imagine, with flowers blooming; luscious trees and bushes, and tendered plots and pathways.
Our specialist nurses regularly utilise the garden to support their group and one-to-one work with patients and carers. The peaceful area helps them to deliver sessions around mindfulness, coping with uncertainty and anxiety associated with serious and life-limiting illness, self-care and well-being.
Becky said: ‘I love the outdoors and so when the opportunity came up to support the hospice in the garden, it felt like a perfect way to get involved. At the time, I had recently started a new job which meant I had more free time to be able to volunteer, and the role is just great because it is so flexible; I can come whenever I am free in-between my family and work.
‘I have learnt a lot since I started here; before the Covid-19 pandemic, I was scared of my garden but I’ve learnt so much from Lizzie and grown in confidence. I enjoy being here in the garden because for me, as I am pottering around, it is an opportunity to reflect. I think of people I’m close to – family, friends, neighbours – people who are sadly no longer here, and it’s just a time for me to reflect and relax.’
Lizzie commented: ‘Volunteering in the garden ticks so many boxes – supporting my mental and physical health, as well as giving something back to the hospice. The flexibility of the role is fantastic, meaning we can fit in around our family and other commitments. We may pop in on our own, but we do love to meet here at least once a month so that we can chat through ideas and just generally have a catch up as we’re working.
‘The hospice is a wonderful place to be; everyone is so friendly, happy and positive. I know it sounds cheesy but it’s true! I would recommend volunteering to everyone – you don’t have to commit to a regular post, but there are lots of casual opportunities to get involved and support the hospice.’
Find out more about volunteering opportunities at the hospice.
