Barbara’s story
Like many other charities, Severn Hospice relies on the hard work of volunteers. The roles they undertake and their path to volunteering varies and here Barbara Mooney shares her own story of how she first encountered the Hospice and why it is still part of her life.
In 2002 my husband Terry was persuaded to go into the Hospice in Shrewsbury. In the early days he wouldn’t even discuss cancer and would walk out of the room if it came on the TV. Terry went into the Hospice but then opted to go for another treatment at Shrewsbury Hospital. That failed, but by then his overwhelming desire was just to get back to the Hospice and the care he was receiving there.
When he moved into the Hospice it was a relief to me and to him because there was always someone there who dealt with every problem as it arose. The decisions were always his to make.
I wasn’t told he was going to die, I was told ‘We’ve kept a bed for you tonight.’ It was a way of telling me without words. The following day Terry’s brother, Bill, stayed at the Hospice with me and we took it in turns spending time with Terry through the night. He died the next day with every need attended to, such a peaceful end.
I hope my volunteering benefits the patients, but just as much it benefits me. Just making a cup of tea for someone, greeting people as they arrive, chatting with patients who want to talk, serving lunches – I do whatever the nurses need. I’ve been here for three years and the time has gone so fast.
I find there are very few people you talk to nowadays who haven’t had some association either with the ailment or with fundraising for the Hospice. I just tell people what a wonderful place it is, and I have never heard anyone disagree. You get so much help as a whole family – it’s like being enveloped in a big hug.
It all depends on how you look at life and death. I don’t think death is the worst thing that can happen. The Hospice helps people to get the most out of every bit of life they have. I’d love to have Terry back tomorrow but I wouldn’t wish him another day of his illness. This isn’t the life I expected but it’s the life I’ve got and I’ll make the most of it, hopefully by helping others.
