Joanna's journey from volunteer to staff

Jo is a Therapeutic Activities Assistant who started out as a volunteer. After being a teacher for 38 years, she retired but knew she wanted to do something to keep herself busy.

"A couple of jobs came up at the hospice and I knew I didn't necessarily want a job, but I was intrigued. So I contacted reception and explained that although I don't want a job I wanted to come look round and see the facilities. They put me in contact with the volunteer team who invited me for a chat."

After a tour and a chat with some of the staff, she agreed to 2 days a week working with the Children's Unit and Wellbeing. "Everyone was really supportive and I realised that it was a lovely atmosphere, everybody made you feel so welcome. And even as a volunteer, you felt you could ask anything, do anything!"

When a job became available for Wellbeing Assistant, Jo was encouraged to apply. "When they first mentioned it, I didn't think I wanted employment, but when I got home I thought, why not? If I don't get it, I'd still want to be a volunteer so why not just go for it!"

Now, Jo has been in the job role for a year! She's a strong and much loved member of the team and has been using her teaching skills to come up with creative crafts for the wellbeing groups. Looking back at her time as a volunteer she said: "The patients are the best part. I thought I only wanted to work with children but after volunteering for wellbeing, I saw a completely different side of the hospice. I thought it would be morbid, quite depressing. But I was so surprised that everybody was so full of life and sometimes you forgot how poorly they were, because they were so hopeful and so appreciative of everything.

"I don't know what we would do without our volunteers. They help us accommodate more patients and they really are a part of the family. Come and have a look! Even if you don't know where you want to volunteer, there's so many different avenues here."

There are so many different volunteering roles and ways you can support the hospice, therefore please do get in touch with the Volunteer Team and find out how to join our other amazing volunteers. You can email sah.volunteers@nhs.net, telephone 01472 350908 or click here to learn more