The Hospice Volunteer Team
We estimate that our volunteers donate over £1million worth of their time to Severn Hospice every year. One of the things that helps to make our Hospices such lively, amazing places is the diversity of special people who help us by sharing their interests, skills and talents with our patients, their families and their friends. That’s why we, in return, are committed to the promotion and good practice of volunteering.
Here is a small selection of roles that volunteers help the Hospice with:
Greeting visitors to our Reception areas within the Hospices at Telford and Shrewsbury and escorting them to their destination. Offering refreshments to visitors who may be waiting in reception and, when required, answering the telephone.
Offering help, support and companionship to patients and staff in our Day Hospices at Newtown, Shrewsbury and Telford. Volunteers are essential to the smooth running of activities within the Day Hospices, whether it’s assisting the Creative Therapist with arts and craft sessions, serving lunch or supporting patients during trips out.
We are fortunate to have a number of volunteer Complementary Therapists who are qualified in aromatherapy, reflexology, beauty therapy and other fields. They offer these therapies to patients both in the Day Hospices and on the Wards in Shrewsbury and Telford.
Amongst other things, our volunteers who help on the Wards in Shrewsbury and Telford provide support at mealtimes and make drinks for patients and visitors. They also offer companionship to patients, perhaps sharing a TV programme, reading a magazine out loud or escorting them for a walk in the gardens or on the patio.
Transporting patients to our Day Hospices in Newtown, Shrewsbury and Telford, or to hospital appointments or other care settings. Volunteers drive our patient support vehicles (we train to MiDAS certification level), drive their own cars or act as patient escorts.
Volunteers also provide general clerical duties to most sections of the Hospice, including the Wards and the Fundraising teams.
We have a monthly rota for both skilled flower arrangers and those interested in general houseplant care.
Under the guidance of our professional gardener, our volunteers offer general gardening assistance and plant care within the grounds of both the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospices.
Guidelines for some of these roles can be found here but there is plenty more that volunteers do to help us, so if you would like to know more visit the volunteering page, contact us at volunteers@severnhospice.org.uk or call 01743 236 565.
If you are interested in volunteering as a driver or escort in Newtown, Shrewsbury or Telford please call 01743 261 523.
If you are thinking of becoming a volunteer at the Hospice then we will ask you to complete a form so that we can find out a bit more about you. You can find out more about the services the Hospice offers here.
