Volunteer Stories

Trees for Remembrance 2011 Big Thank you It has at times been an emotional journey, reflecting on the heartfelt messages, and the wonderful support....... What an amazing event. Hospice North Shore had 11 sites around the North Shore with Trees of Remembrance in the fortnight leading up to Christmas. The event has been running for 13 years and the level of support and commitment our community offers through this time, is overwhelming. A heartfelt thank you to all our volunteers, who staff the trees, and to the management teams at each site. There is so much goodwill and assistance, given to this event. The biggest thanks must go to the public, for their continued support of Hospice North Shore, through Trees of Remembrance, especially in these challenging financial times. I feel so fortunate to have been involved this year. It has at times been an emotional journey, reflecting on the heartfelt messages, and the wonderful support extended by the public and our amazing volunteers. Hospice North Shore exists for the families in our community; and the community has responded in kind, by widespread support, with this years event. Thanks so much to everyone involved; and best wishes for a safe and happy Christmas. Regards Karen Lee On behalf of: The Trees of Remembrance Coordinating Team 2011 Our Sites: Devonport New World, Barry's Point Road Countdown, Northcote Countdown, Westfield Shore City, Milford Mall, Glenfield Westfield, Browns Bay National Bank, Albany Pak'nSave, Albany Westfield, Mairangi Bay Arts Centre, EziBuy Albany
Kay's Story As a registered nurse I have always enjoyed and found palliative care very rewarding..... Unexpectedly and sadly my first contact with Hospice North Shore was in 2002 when my 29yr daughter was diagnosed with secondaries following breast cancer. We had great support in the community and when Jo was an in-patient she spent her last days surrounded by family and friends in the very loving caring environment of Hospice North Shore. For years I struggled to go back there, however living in Invercargill for 18 months helping my younger daughter with family while doing her nursing training gave me the opportunity and I became a volunteer at day stay in Invercargill. read more....
Volunteering at Hospice Stella Chambers, Hospice has given me far more than I could ever give Hospice..... My first awareness of Hospice volunteers was in 1995 when my brother became a volunteer driver following the death of his beloved wife who had been cared for with much love and compassion in Hospice North Shore. At that time I vowed I too would become a volunteer when I retired from my employment. This transpired in 2005 when I joined Hospice and started working with the kitchen team, firstly on Friday and Sunday afternoons fortnightly, which entailed serving afternoon tea and doing dishes. This gave me personal contact with patients and families. I now work still on Sunday afternoon fortnightly and also every Wednesday morning making a copious amount of sandwiches towards lunch for our Day Group patients. The team I work with are a pleasure to be with and if the laughter that emanates from the kitchen is anything to go by, it is truly a happy place to be. Volunteers come in all shapes, sizes and age groups as I have found in working with a young lady of just 21 years of age. When people say to me how much they admire me for the time I give Hospice my reply is and always will be, "Hospice has given me far more than I could ever give Hospice" I hope to be able to continue for as long as Hospice has a job for me.
As Simple as a Cup of Tea Bernie Fraser, a privilege to be able to give patients and their families something as simple as a cup of tea..... I became a Hospice volunteer because I found that I had some spare time in my day that I wanted to donate back to the community in some rewarding way. At the time, the Hospice's main need was for drivers to transport patients to treatment appointments or hospital etc. I like driving and helping people, so I decided that this was something that I could easily do. That is how it started. After a while, the Hospice needed helpers in the kitchen, and so I decided to give that a go, a little out of my comfort zone to start with, being that there were no other males around in the kitchen, but I found it really enjoyable and have met and continue to work with some really lovely people. It is a privilege to be able to give patients and their families something as simple as a cup of tea in the midst of such a private time for them. The Hospice community is a really caring family and I am happy to be able to contribute whatever I can to help.
Allan Gillespie - Day Group Volunteer for 10 years........ I look forward to each Wednesday as the “Best Day of my Week”! Each Wednesday I walk into “Joy and Love”, amongst other volunteers and patients. It’s been like that for ten years. I recall at my interview being asked what area I would like to serve in. I chose serving patients and I am still enjoying being part of the Day Group Team.

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