"Volunteering helps me and I like to think it helps the people I speak to"
Sarah is one of our Coffee Retreat volunteers and has been with us for almost a year. As a music teacher, Sarah works in the Coffee Retreat every Wednesday to fit around her commitments. Deciding to volunteer after her father sadly passed away, Sarah explained, “My dad did an awful lot of charity work, he was a Methodist Minister, so when he died, I felt that I should do something to carry on that legacy. He was only here for three days but the staff were all so lovely.
“My mum and I came to bereavement counselling at the hospice, and we used to come into the Coffee Retreat afterwards. We both really enjoyed coming here and it made me feel closer to my dad.”
Although when Sarah applied for a volunteer position, she didn’t mind what role she took, she was happy to be offered a position in the Coffee Retreat. Sarah said, “It’s great, I’ve learnt how to use the till and how to use a proper coffee machine which has been fun. I don’t drink coffee so it’s been a lot to learn!”
But Sarah’s favourite thing about volunteering in the Coffee Retreat is speaking to the customers and staff.
“You get to really know people, especially people who come in regularly. I realised that for some people that come in, I might be the only person they chat to that day. Maybe they’re visiting someone at the hospice or maybe they’re on their own. So, knowing I’m someone they can chat to makes a massive difference.”
Since volunteering, Sarah has also reconnected with staff members that helped care for her father. “I remember a lady came in the other day who recognised me, but I couldn’t figure out from where. Turns out she was one of my dad’s nurses from his time here and she remembered me. We had a really lovely chat and it was so nice to speak to her.”
When asked if she would recommend volunteering, it was a resounding yes! Sarah said, “I would say to anyone thinking of volunteering to just do it and do it for the right reasons. Volunteering helps me and I like to think it helps the people I speak to. It’s worth doing.”