Category: Volunteering

Tending to plants and patients is all in a day’s work for Lindsay Taylor at East Cheshire Hospice.

There she is among a dedicated band of volunteers making the gardens at the Millbank Drive site look their best.

Other times the all-rounder swaps her gardening gloves for her nurse’s uniform caring for patients on the ward.

Lindsay, from Macclesfield, even managed to do both jobs in one day owing to her lifestyle.

She retired as full-time nurse 18 months ago, but stayed on as a member of the bank staff.

Lindsay now works an average of two shifts a week, freeing her up to help out in the gardens.

She said: “One day last week I was in the gardens in the morning and then worked as a nurse in the afternoon.

“I love it. I’ve been a nurse for almost 40 years, including the last six years at the Hospice before retiring, and can now pick and choose the days I work.

“On the ward I often thought I’d like to be out there doing some gardening and now I’ve got the best of both worlds.

“I’d say I’m more enthusiastic than able as a gardener, but I enjoy being out in the fresh air pulling up weeds.

“As a nurse I also know what it means to patients to see the gardens from either the Sunflower Centre, or the bays on the ward. Patients and families can also come out and enjoy the open space and flowers.

“It’s been a challenging period for everyone at the Hospice and the toughest period nurses have known.”

Other volunteer gardeners include Pat Dawson and Gail Robinson whose roles as flower arrangers had to be temporarily suspended because of Covid-19 restrictions.

Pat has been brightening up the ward with her floral arrangements for more than 20 years and also volunteers at fundraising events.

“I help out in all kinds of ways, including car parking, registration, open days and collection boxes. It’s nice to meet other volunteers as well and get to know their different interests.”

Gail’s husband Lawrence drives the Hospice’s furniture van and volunteers at the Christmas tree collection.

Gail said: “I enjoy gardening and look forward to flower arranging again once restrictions are eased and we’re allowed to get back in. We know friends who’ve benefitted from being in the Hospice and it’s such a lovely place.”

Some of the Hospice gardening team. From left, Mark Reddiough, Pat Dawson, Nev Wardle, Gail Robinson and Lindsay Taylor.

Some volunteers are returning to East Cheshire Hospice after they were stood down because of Covid-19.

The first receptionist was back on the front desk last Thursday – coincidentally during Volunteers Week.

Several days earlier the gardening team returned to their duties and other volunteer roles will be re-introduced according to strict safety guidelines.

That means charity shop helpers will not return until next month and it could be some time before volunteers will be back on the ward and in other patient-facing roles.

Voluntary Services Co-ordinator Helena Smith said: “The message to our 650 volunteers is that we’re missing you.

“Our volunteers bring something special to the Hospice and we’re looking forward to seeing them again.

“While we’re genuinely excited about having them back, it’s going to take us a while to see all the teams return.

“The most important consideration is that we ensure people are safe, and feel safe. Everyone has pitched in to make the place work, with staff switching into different roles.

“But the last two or three months has shown us what we knew all along – that we couldn’t exist without our incredible volunteers.”

With some Hospice staff also self-isolating, colleagues have been switching jobs to help on reception, in the kitchen, laundry room and with cleaning duties.

One of first volunteers back was Stan Wiseman, from Prestbury, whose work in the garden is in memory of his late wife Sara, who died in the Hospice in 2016.

Like her husband, Sara was also a Hospice volunteer for many years and was an ambassador.

Volunteer Stan Wiseman with his rescue dog Lola at East Cheshire Hospice.

Stan said: “I know the Hospice is looking for more gardeners and I’d recommend it. I help out every Wednesday and really enjoy it. As you can imagine, the garden had got out of hand after not being touched for 10 weeks.”

* To volunteer as a gardener email h.smith@echospice.org.uk

EDIT – 22.04.2020: Following more recent Government guidelines, all of our volunteers have now been stood down and have been asked not to come into the Hospice until further notice. Unfortunately, our counselling volunteers are also unable to make calls from outside the hospice due to GDPR.

Volunteers and staff are rallying round to keep East Cheshire Hospice going despite the coronavirus crisis.

The vast majority of the our volunteers have been stood down because they are aged over 70 or self isolating.

Those remaining –  fewer than a fifth of the 650-strong volunteer workforce – are helping on the inpatient wards and front desk reception.

Volunteer bereavement counsellors are carrying out appointments over the telephone.

Other roles, such as complementary therapists and drivers who take outpatients to the Sunflower Centre which is closed, are not allowed to be filled at present.

Volunteer Co-ordinator Helena Smith said: “I want to stress that these volunteers have stood down reluctantly, not because they want to. People know their role matters and that they make a difference.

“I’ve had phone calls from people fed up that they can’t help out. For those over 70 it was a cut and dried decision but those under 70 didn’t find it easy to step away.

“But people need to put themselves first.  Volunteers don’t often do this and put the organisation and the patients before themselves.

“They feel a real sense of responsibility, so it’s really hard for them. But just because they’re not volunteering here they’re still supporting people in the community.

“It might not be in a formal way on reception with a badge, but it doesn’t mean to say they’re not supporting the community. So many people are carrying out caring roles that make a difference.

“We’d really struggle without the volunteers who’re still here and need them now more than ever. I’d also like to say a big thank you to them.”

One such volunteer Laurence Duerden helps on reception and in normal circumstances would support pop-up shops and serve food.  His wife Angela died in the Hospice from cancer, age 43, in 2011.

Laurence Duerden helping on reception at East Cheshire Hospice.01

Laurence (58), who is retired from Astra Zeneca, said: “I’ll happily fill any gaps on volunteer rotas. It’s important we keep the professionals free to carry on what they’re trained to do.

“My son Jack (18) and daughter Emma  (16) both left Tytherington School the day schools were forced to shut down. Their last day at school was a really emotional time and they had to say quick goodbyes to their school friends.”