
Neil - Patient Befriender Volunteer

Dianne - Ward Clerk Volunteer

Lydia - Ward Clerk Volunteer

Joan - Ward Clerk Volunteer

Eileen - Admin and Reception Volunteer

Janet - Reception and Patient Befriender Volunteer
"When I retired in August 2020, I knew that I wanted to give some of my time to volunteering but wasn't sure in which area, especially as we were still in the throes of a pandemic. When I saw that St Joseph's Hospice was looking to recruit a team of receptionists, I knew that I had found what I had been looking for.
"Working on reception was a great way to meet people, use my existing skills and develop new ones, including transferring calls without cutting the caller off!! Whilst on reception, I met some interesting people and dealt with a range of issues. Each session was a learning curve and it was so rewarding to use my newly gained knowledge to support the families of patients with a smile, a chat and an answer to some of their questions.
"This volunteering role gave me the confidence to develop my role within St Joseph's Hospice further so I applied for a volunteer role on the befrienders team. I am so grateful that I was accepted and am very excited to start this new role. I'm looking forward to meeting some of the patients and giving my time by chatting, reading and providing a listening ear. I also see it as an opportunity to get to know more of the amazing staff.
"I feel proud and honoured to be part of the St Joseph's Hospice volunteer team and I would encourage anyone who is thinking of volunteering to have a chat with Helen about it. There are many different roles that provide the opportunity to really make a difference."

Diane - Shop Volunteer
Diane has been a volunteer at our Crosby shop since 2005 and has received her 15 year long service award.
Why did you start volunteering for the hospice?
My first thought was that it would be a good idea to help the hospice by giving my time one day a week and I found out that it’s a great way to make friends with the other volunteers and it helped me personally to improve my own lifestyle.
What's it like being a shop volunteer?
The Crosby shop is lovely. The manager Tracy is wonderful and the lady I work with, Elaine, has become a good friend.

Rob - Volunteer Gardener
Rob has been a volunteer gardener at the hospice since 2009.
Tell us about your role?
It is a lovely place to work with a mixture of formal gardens set in a woodland setting. It mainly involves tidying the site, mowing lawns, tending to the borders and drinking coffee.
Why did you decide to volunteer for the hospice?
After working continually for 45 years, I retired aged 60 and really enjoyed doing all the usual activities of holidaying, diy, grandparent duties, walking and hanging round garden centres and shopping complexes.
Eventually, I realised that I still had plenty of spare time and decided to do some voluntary work and, as I always considered gardening to be a pleasure and not a chore, I noted that St Joseph’s Hospice didn’t employ anyone to look after the gardens so here I am in what I consider to be my outside gym.
What do you most enjoy about your volunteer role?
It’s nice to have the interaction with other volunteers and full time staff and it’s particularly gratifying when residents and their visitors express their thanks for our efforts.
To sum it up, what could be better than working outside in the fresh air, in amongst nature and keeping fit at the same time? Plus, it only takes a few hours per week.

Keith - Catering Volunteer
What inspired you to start volunteering?
I was lucky enough to retire a few years ago and volunteering seemed to be the best way of keeping active and getting out of the house.
What you get out of volunteering at the hospice?
My father was in the hospice in 2004 and was treated brilliantly. I was allowed to spend a lot of time with him as I could work remotely, so that time was precious. The opportunity to give something back was more than welcome.