Meet the team
Bula Beech, Reception Support Volunteer
I have been a hospice volunteer for over 2 years. The Hospice is a wonderful organisation so it was an obvious choice to try and help.
The staff are very friendly and helpful. My training was superb and I am still learning as I go every week. I really look forward to my hospice afternoons because I enjoy my work so much. I can really recommend becoming a volunteer as it is so rewarding.
John Cooper, Volunteer Driver
I am now in my 15th year as a volunteer driver at the hospice and I have enjoyed every minute of it. I have met some wonderful people during that time; patients, hospice staff, nursing staff and fellow volunteers. The Severn Hospice has a happy, friendly atmosphere and I always look forward to driving the ambulance on Thursdays. I enjoy meeting up with the patients, my escort and the staff and I think of them all as my friends.
Michael Davey – Ward Volunteer
I started as a ward volunteer in 2009. I had often thought that I would like to help at the Severn Hospice but it was typical of all those things you might do ‘ one of these days’ However time was marching on and I realised that unless I lifted the phone and made an enquiry it would never happen.
I am fairly fearless on the phone, but I imagine that for many of us the initial telephone call can be the hardest part of an application. In reality enrolement was a most friendly procedure and immediately I could feel the commitment and indeed enthusiasm of all involved at the Hospice. I wanted to work specifically on the ward because it brings one close to patients at a most sensitive time.
My Monday mornings feel very busy, but probably they are little different from other days. A considerable time is taken up with the mechanics of the kitchen with no shortage of washing up and putting away. The important thing to remember is that this is vital work which must not be left to the staff who are busy nursing patients. However it is what I regards as the golden moments that are the most important. Those often quite brief spells with patients and relatives when you can bring a word of cheer, share a memory and also not be afraid to enjoy a joke. All volunteers seem to have a very positive frame of mind and this is so good for the patients, good for the relatives, good for the staff and ultimately good for ourselves.
Mary Forgarty, Ward Volunteer
I may arrange flowers, make a cup of tea or assist with a meal, ‘nothing out of the ordinary’ what is out of the ordinary is the moments that take my breath away, the moments of courage, dignity and humour of our patients and their relatives, a very precious time, time I am privileged to be sharing.
