When it comes to volunteering St Cuthbert’s Hospice are proud to offer opportunities to suit a variety ages. We have over 400 volunteers who make the Hospice the special place that it is. Our youngest volunteer is 13 years old, our oldest volunteer is 87 and we have all ages in between.

Our youngest volunteer, Lucy Gristwood age 13, started volunteering at our Crook shop in November 2016 as a Retail Assistant. Lucy is undertaking The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and as part of this she is required to complete a volunteering section for a period of 6 months. Lucy says: “My Mam saw an advert in St Cuthbert’s Hospice Crook Shop window saying they needed volunteers to help in the shop. I was so happy to be able to volunteer here. I’m there one morning a week and there’s nothing about it I don’t like – it’s all new to me.”

“I like to be on the tills chatting to people, everyone is really friendly. I have helped sort donations, price items and helped a little with the window displays. My friends think it’s really good what I’m doing and I hope to stay even after I finish my Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.”

Coincidentally our oldest volunteer also works in one of our hospice shops and volunteers two mornings a week at our Durham City shop. June Greenwood age 87, began volunteering after her husband Ron passed away suddenly almost 30 years ago. June says: “Ron liked to support local charities and a friend of mine suggested I help out with some fundraising. The hospice didn’t exist yet and a group of us we’re helping raise money to buy the building. We would have garden parties, stalls, sell cakes – things like that. At the time me helping them, was helping me too. It was something to do to take my mind off things.”

“When we raised the money to get the hospice started we then opened a sorting centre in the grounds for all the donations. I would help out for a few hours on a Saturday morning and it all just started from there. It’s been lots of fun over the years and volunteering in Durham City is lovely. I see people in the shop who have come from day one when it first opened.”

“I’ve seen a lot of volunteers come and go throughout the years, but some like me stick around. To think of all those years, I’m quite amazed by it all.”

Volunteers are the heart and soul of St Cuthbert’s Hospice. Without their support we would not be able to deliver our vital services to support those with life-limiting illnesses in County Durham. Jude Smith, Volunteer Coordinator at St Cuthbert’s Hospice said “People choose to volunteer for us for a variety of reasons. For some it offers the chance to give something back to the community or make a difference to the people around them. For others it provides an opportunity to develop new skills or build on existing experience and knowledge.”

“We are so proud to have such a diverse group of people who are able to commit their time to help us in a huge variety of ways. People are often surprised at the flexibility of volunteering opportunities as well as the variety. Alongside many different roles in our retail outlets we also have positions such as patient transport drivers, retail drivers, arts and craft volunteers, coffee shop assistants, and many more.”

If you can provide the warm and welcoming atmosphere that St Cuthbert’s Hospice strive to deliver and want to use your skills to help make a real difference to the lives of our patients, their carers and families, we would like to hear from you.  Whatever your interests, skills or circumstances if you have the time, talent and enthusiasm, we need your help. For more information please visit our volunteering pages HERE or contact Jude Smith on 0191 374 6169 or email volunteer@stcuthbertshospice.com

30/03/2017