‘Having seen family members benefit from the hospice, it makes all the difference. You want to give something back and say thank you.’
Pauline began supporting Blythe House as a shop volunteer in December 2002. She spotted an advert for volunteers in the window of our very first shop in Whaley Bridge before its official opening. Having just retired after 30 years as practice manager at Sett Valley Medical Practice, she decided she wanted to do something worthwhile with her spare time.
Pauline, who lives in Whaley Bridge, explained: ‘I already knew Blythe House well, as one of the doctors at the surgery and his wife did a lot of fundraising for the hospice. My niece was also diagnosed with breast cancer on her 50th birthday, and she came to Blythe House for care and support.
‘I rang the shop manager, and she asked if I’d be happy to get my hands dirty doing some cleaning. Myself and another lady, Edna, met her there and we set to work sweeping, mopping and tidying. Donations soon started arriving, including stock from other shops, and we got the shelves filled. We also put out a call for local donations, which came in quickly, and helped recruit more volunteers.
‘With my background at the surgery, I had experience of policies and systems, so I enjoyed helping with timesheets, organising deliveries and supporting the team. I used to take donations home and research them online so we could price them fairly.
‘When the new department store opened in 2012, I helped with setting up the computers and tills. I’ve always done two mornings a week, which fits nicely around my life, but I often pick up extra shifts if needed. I also enjoy decorating the window displays.’
Over the years, Pauline has found great fulfilment from her volunteering role: ‘I get a huge amount of satisfaction from being in the shop. I often sense when customers want to talk. Many come in specifically because it’s a Blythe House shop, and you can tell they have a lot on their minds. Sometimes they just want someone to chat to who isn’t family. It means a lot to know I might be the only person they’ve spoken to that day.
‘We have regulars who visit two or three times a week – some even come in every day. It’s very rewarding, and you build strong connections with the local community.
‘Not long after the Hospice at Home service launched in 2016, I took a call from a gentleman whose father had just died at home, exactly as he’d wished. He wanted to donate his dad’s furniture and clothes to the shop, and he told me the service was worth its weight in gold. That’s when you really understand how important these services are in our community, and how vital it is to raise the money to keep them going.’
For Pauline, the small things also bring great reward: ‘It feels good when I’ve priced something right and it sells quickly. You want to make sure items get the best value, knowing every penny supports Blythe House. Having seen family members benefit from the hospice, it makes all the difference. You want to give something back and say thank you.’
Find out more about volunteering at Blythe House Hospice
