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Volunteers are the heart of
the Hospice
VOLUNTEERS Week kicks off on Friday, 1
June 2017 and so St. Joseph's Hospice is celebrating and championing all the
inspiring volunteers who keep the Hospice going every single day.
Over 100 volunteers from across Merseyside give up their own time every week to
work in one of the charity's shops but they still need more, particularly in
Southport and Formby.
Shop volunteering is 1 of the most valuable ways of supporting the Hospice as
its shops are a crucial source of income, raising over ₤100k each year. This
money goes directly towards caring for patients at the Hospice in Thornton.
Gill Jones (59), from Maghull, started working at the St. Joseph's Hospice shop,
on Westway in Maghull, just 4 weeks ago. Gill spent her career working for the
family flooring business but, as the business grew, her son took over and she
found herself with more time on her hands. Gill said:- "I
still work at our flooring business a few days a week, but I was so proud to
step back and hand the business over to my son. However, after such a busy
career, I found myself bored at home and so I decided to see it as an
opportunity to do something else, something rewarding. As I had retail
experience, I decided to visit the local Hospice shop and they were so welcoming
from the moment I walked through the door. I just help out one morning a week so
it's not a huge commitment, but it is great fun. There's a real family atmosphere
between the volunteers in the shop and with the shop manager Susan. I'm very
proud to support my local Hospice and it keeps me entertained. I have made some
lovely new friends too."
Maggie Linge (69), from Maghull, and Dorothy Reynolds (73), from Lydiate, have
volunteered at the Hospice shop in Maghull since it opened at its previous
location on Central Square. In fact, they have both worked there since it was an
Oxfam shop over 30 years ago!
Maggie said:- "We both do the same morning shift we always have done. It's
great company when you're retired. It gets you out and about and doing some good
for an important local charity. My husband, Keith, passed away seven years ago
and working in the shop helped me a lot. It gave me a real purpose to get up and
do something positive. The support network was wonderful too."
Dorothy added:- "We have a really close knit community at the shop which
offers friendship and companionship. As shop volunteers, we really feel like
we're contributing to an important local charity."
St. Joseph's Hospice is looking for more volunteers for its shops in Southport
and Formby. If you can spare a little time each week to help, please call:- 0151
932 6046.
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