Volunteers

Phillipa's Story

I had always thought I would like to do some volunteer work when I finally stopped being a wage slave and it was always going to be Hospice for me because of my Mother.

I was in England when Mum died of cancer and after a lifetime of caring for others, she died alone in a nursing home. She had to go in for a night because my elderly father was exhausted from the long days and broken nights in trying to care for her when she was awake and in pain, doing it on his own – there was no other way. It was so unfair that when they needed help there was none in those days. I thought if I can make a difference and try to help, even a little bit, so that others don’t have to go through this, then that’s what I’ll do.

So I arrived at Link Drive to help Marlene get the shop off the ground. Three years later and I’m still there and we are still the same team, Heather, Ted and me - we have never looked back!

What really gives you a buzz as a volunteer is that no two shifts are the same. Mind you we are lucky to have Ted’s superb cups of tea when the going gets tough, but boredom and routine just aren’t in our shop’s vocabulary. You never know what the day will bring – a lovely piece of bric a brac – a real joy, something for the kitchen “Yes, we can sell that”, the treasures or someone’s loved possessions, “Thank you for thinking of us”. The stifled tears, “Mum died last week and she wanted Hospice to have these”, and I say sometimes to myself and sometimes to them “You were able to be there for her”. Some have no idea what that means.

Items arrive, maybe not looking their best, but a clean, a polish and a nice display it goes out a lovely sale and what a thrill that gives us all. You are then onto the next thing - you never know what is round the corner or in that car drawing in – something we can sell or a sale we can make? Or a regular, someone who’s just a bit lonely who’s popped in to see what’s new, a little chat helps everyone.

We are the lucky ones, we are making a difference and we are having fun and companionship whilst we do it.

Phillipa - Hospice Volunteer - Link Drive Shop