Category: Volunteering

Green fingered volunteers have come out of winter hibernation to bring colour back to the East Cheshire Hospice gardens.

Up to 20 gardeners are hard at work every Wednesday making the Hospice surroundings look beautiful.

The grounds are a pleasant retreat for patients and families, especially in summer with plants and flowers in full bloom.

Keen gardener Julie Williams, from Hurdsfield, is the newest volunteer.

She said: “It’s my first day and I’m giving something back to the community. The Hospice is such a good cause.

Volunteer gardeners at East Cheshire Hospice with Michelle Walker-Brown (second from right).

“I started gardening after undergoing knee replacements. I get a lot of pleasure seeing gardens grow.”

Pat Dawson is the longest-serving volunteer gardener, an involvement lasting more than 25 years, including helping with floral arrangements.

Pat said: “I enjoy coming here and have made many good friends, meeting lots of different people.”

Colleague Deborah Roberts, a retired practice nurse in Bollington, has also seen huge changes to the gardens in her 15 years.

She said: “Watching the gardens come to life is lovely. Working with nature and plants is healthy and we’re able to create a nice environment.

“I’d had enough of nursing but wanted to keep a continuity with the Hospice.

Deborah Roberts who has been looking after the Hospice gardens for 15 years.

“I was the only woman at first and there was lots of football talk. Then it was all women and now there’s a balance. There’s a great camaraderie.”

The team work alongside Michelle Walker-Brown, Head of Facilities and Hospitality at the Hospice.

Michelle said: “We’ve got more gardeners now than ever before which is great.

“They do a wonderful job in all weathers and play such an important role creating memories for patients and families.

“We use raised beds which are wheelchair accessible so patients can plant their own herbs, vegetables, tomato plants and spring onions.

“The impact that had on a day care patient last year was amazing. The lady loved her garden but couldn’t look after it anymore.

“It was heartwarming to see her get involved here. Food and herbs are utilised in the kitchen and go on patient menus.

“Ideally, we’ll extend our day care activities for patients interested in gardening.

“The gardens include a wildlife area with insect hotels, hedgehog habitats and a pond with frogs. We utilise space the best we can and reuse pallets and tiles for sustainability.

“We’re always looking for donations from anyone interested in helping develop our outdoor spaces.” Email michelle.brown@echospice.org.uk

East Cheshire Hospice is looking for volunteers to help in its shops at Chestergate and Congleton.

The roles give members of the public a chance to support a much-loved charity.

Hospice commercial manager Louise Delany said: “The roles are flexible. Volunteers can help either for half a day or a full day.

“They can even do every other week. It’s to suit them and they’ll have full training and supervision.

Shop volunteers Joanne Stirland (left) and Kathleen Young.

“There are a few things people can do. If they’re uncomfortable dealing directly with the public, they can be in the back-office sorting and helping.”

Roles include sorting donations, steaming and pricing items, displays, till work and admin.

Weekends are also an option as the Hospice prepares to open its Congleton shop on Sundays from March.

The outlet opened in December and there are plans to open another shop in Knutsford shortly, meaning the Hospice covers almost all areas where it has patients.

The Hospice has six shops, including Thornton Square and Chestergate in Macclesfield.

Louise said: “We’re doing really well. Sadly, some charity retail shops are having to close, but we’re the opposite.

“That’s because we have good quality donations on display, including designer goods and High Street brands.

“The support we get from customers is amazing and we sold out of Christmas cards.”

The Hospice is also asking for good quality furniture. Email furniture@echospice.org.uk with donations.

* To volunteer contact Congleton (tel 01260 545826) or Chestergate (tel o1625 511997) or apply via the website.

East Cheshire Hospice held its annual thank you party for the volunteers the Hospice relies upon heavily to keep services running smoothly.

Around 140 volunteers attended the event at Mottram St Andrew village hall.

The Hospice traditionally gives long service awards each summer to those who have reached another five years of service.

Some 35 helpers received an award this year in recognition of their efforts fulfilling various roles in the Hospice itself, out in the community, or supporting the four shops.

Volunteers recognised this time included the Hospice’s longest serving volunteer Moira Gregory (was Furmage), who has completed an incredible 35 years’ service helping on the inpatient unit, while David Black has clocked up an impressive 30 years.

David Black (left) with Will Spinks, Chair of the Hospice Board of Trustees, at the volunteer thank you party.

Volunteer Services Lead Angela O’Mahony said: “We are fortunate to have about 600 volunteers in total who give their time to us for free.

“This saves the Hospice valuable money and helps us deliver the high standards of service and care that we pride ourselves on. We thank them all for their amazing dedication.”

The Hospice has several volunteers who have completed more than 30 years’ service.

A total of 19 have been involved for more than 20 years, while 65 have been giving their time for at least 10 years.

David, from Macclesfield, is retired after spending most of his career with AstraZenaca.

He said: “It’s a privilege to help at the Hospice. It’s a wonderful place to work and feel part of that voluntary team.

“If we help the Hospice that’s good, but it’s also good for us to be doing it.

“I’ve worked mainly on the inpatient unit, carrying out general duties which include pushing the tea trolley round, doing whatever I can within my capability to help the nurses get on with their job.

“I am on a Sunday morning slot at the moment and quite a big part of it is just stopping and chatting with patients and relatives if they want a chat.”

“The going around with the tea trolley is the sort of entre to speak with people if they feel they want to talk.”

A befriender service is making a real difference to those who feel isolated towards the end of life.

The East Cheshire Hospice scheme has been popular since it was set up 18 months ago by the Hospice’s Volunteering Lead Helena Smith.

Helena said: “The befrienders service is for people receiving palliative care, approximately in the last year of life. It’s all about the person not being a patient – it’s about being them.

“We also support their carers, whether it’s so they can have a break, or as friendship and support for them – carers can really struggle too. It’s not for people with dementia, but we do have a similar service for them.

“We have about 30 befrienders. They’re amazing, utterly exceptional people and we’d like to recruit more. I’m so lucky to have so many.

Helena Smith, Volunteering Lead at East Cheshire Hospice.

“We’re serving people who are lonely and isolated and it’s about making connections and relationships.

“We’ve a nice range of befrienders, age wise and background wise, and as the role involves a couple of hours commitment a week it can often be fitted around work.

“A couple of our volunteers work full time and visit in the evenings. They’re few and far between, but there are ways and means.

“Importantly, they’re all helping people in their own community. People may not know what needs there are around them and the service runs best when it’s helping people in their communities.

Befrienders at East Cheshire Hospice.

“We match on personality. If you’re going to spend time together, I make sure you’re going to get on.”

Helena is happy to hear from patients and carers. Users do not need to be a Hospice patient to take part, they just need to be in the last year of life, and not have a dementia diagnosis.

She said: “We’re open for referrals. If anyone reading this article thinks it would help someone they know, then give me a call for a chat.

“This supports non-medical needs which are as vital as physical health.

“At the Hospice, we’re all about allowing people to be themselves despite their circumstances. While much of our care might require a more medical approach, this service is completely different to that.

“In at least half of cases where there is a carer, we end up supporting them quite intensively as well.”

* Call the team on 01925 664984 or email volunteers@echospice.org.uk for more details.