National Volunteers’ Week runs from June 1 to June 7 and through this week’s column I want to say thank you to all our amazing volunteers at Bury Hospice.
Throughout the 32 years we have been operating, there have been many changes within the hospice, however one thing that has remained constant throughout has been the support and commitment of our volunteers, without which we would certainly not be where we are today.
Fundamental to the hospice is a culture of volunteering and over the years, we have been fortunate enough to have built up a dedicated workforce of more than 250 volunteers whose presence can be found within every service and department of the organisation.
Our team of volunteers dedicate more than 40,000 hours of their time each year, saving the hospice more than £400,000 annually.
At the hospice we aim to provide the best possible care for patients living with life-limiting illnesses and support their families.
Our ability to undertake this work and to further develop our services is only made possible through the generosity and dedication of our volunteers.
Regardless of experience or skill level the diversity of volunteer roles that we are able to offer means that in some way everyone can positively contribute to the hospice through volunteering.
As our services grow and develop, we pride ourselves in creating new and exciting volunteer roles that not only help to improve operational efficiency but can also enhance the experience of those that we support and care for living in our local community.
The support from our volunteers continue to make such a positive impact on our operations, staff morale and of course to the patients that we support and their loved ones.
Not only do volunteers save us a huge amount of money each year through the time that they selflessly dedicate to us but each volunteer brings with them their own special contribution, which we are grateful for.
Volunteer Margaret Matwiejew, is organising "A Musical Celebration" to celebrate and thank everyone who has helped and volunteered for the hospice.
The concert is taking place on Saturday, July 15 at 2.30pm (doors open at 2pm).
The event is free to attend and tickets are available by calling our supporter care team on 0161 797 1748.
In terms of our current recruitment drive we are actively searching for volunteers to work across all of our charity shops including Bury town centre, Radcliffe, Prestwich and Ramsbottom.
As a retail volunteer, your duties would involve preparing items ready for sale, sorting, steaming, labelling and supporting on the shop floor providing friendly customer service and helping to generate income for the hospice.
Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Joanne Johnson, volunteering services manager, on 0161 543 9671 or email volunteering@buryhospice.org.uk or visit our website at https://www.buryhospice.org.uk/volunteering.
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