Darrell joined us as a reception volunteer last year. He volunteers during the evenings, helping family and friends who are visiting patients and making sure somebody is there to answer phone calls.

What is your most memorable moment as a volunteer?
I’ve only just begun really. But it is the warmth and friendliness of the team that have made my introduction to volunteering at St John’s so straightforward. Originally, I applied to volunteer in the garden (in the background where I am always most comfortable) but there was more of a need on the reception, I knew that above everything I wanted to help but being ‘up-front’ was quite daunting. I needn’t have worried Barbara and her team made sure that I was comfortable working as the ‘Welcome to SJH’.

How have you benefitted from volunteering? / What does volunteering mean to you?
My mother spent her last weeks at SJH before she passed, and I know her care was second to none. I wanted to give something back as a ‘thank you’ and offering my time as a volunteer seemed the best way for me. But it took my Egyptian friend to make me see how rewarding volunteering could be and to be able to find the courage to apply. I will always be grateful for that and now have a host of new friends as well!

What is the most unexpected thing you’ve learnt from volunteering?
I rarely think of all in and outs before I do something. All I know is that this would be a new experience and that I should let it unfold. It has never disappointed! From sharing Tunnock tea cakes with my fellow ‘receptioneer’, to stock taking in the Hospice gift shop, to spending a few moments with family who have come to visit patients.
Also; the number of times the Courtyard Café is fully booked and the number of plants we sell in a day!

Anne volunteers as a hospitality assistant, serving meals and drinks to patients on our ward and helping to keep the staff and family kitchens clean and tidy.

What is your most memorable moment as a volunteer?
My reaction first time walking onto the Ward. I have a nursing background but haven’t worked in palliative care. I was taken aback by my reaction and the realisation that I needed to change my welcome and approach to the patients. I immediately changed my welcome from ‘good morning’ to ‘hello’ 

How have you benefitted from volunteering? / What does volunteering mean to you?
Volunteering has given me job satisfaction. I have made lots of new friends. I now have lots of different conversations with people I meet every day about the Hospice and encouraging others to volunteer. I am amazed at the lengths everyone goes to here to accommodate the wishes of our patients.  

What is the most unexpected thing you’ve learnt from volunteering?
The most unexpected thing I have learnt from volunteering is adaptability. My initial thoughts on what I wanted to do as a volunteer have been proved wrong and what I am doing is nothing like I thought I was going to do.  

Allison volunteers in the Courtyard Café, serving meals to customers, collecting dishes and washing and drying tableware for the café.

What is your most memorable moment as a volunteer?
My most memorable moment was the day I started my volunteer role in the Café. I didn’t know what to expect as I had never done this work before and was very nervous. The welcome I got from everyone made me think – “Yes I have made the right decision”. 

How have you benefitted from volunteering? / What does volunteering mean to you?
I have benefitted from volunteering by meeting so many wonderful people, including staff, other volunteers and customers. I really enjoy the customer facing side of the role and love meeting the customers and hearing their stories. It is so rewarding to be able to spend a couple of minutes or so chatting rather than just serving and clearing away pots. I am proud that I can give something back. 

What is the most unexpected thing you’ve learnt from volunteering?
It was so unexpected to hear so many interesting life stories from the other volunteers – we always enjoy discussing a variety of topics during our breaks and we can always find a solution to anything! The management team in the Café are fantastic and this filters through to everyone. 

Angela volunteers in our Caton Road charity shop, serving customers, accepting and sorting donations and much more!

What is your most memorable moment as a volunteer? 
There are loads of them – how do you pick. Every day something happens which makes me smile and feel so lucky to be here and part of the team.  I remember coming in for my interview and I was so scared and nervous. I didn’t know what to expect. I was made to feel so welcome, so appreciated and so valued. The interview with Nichola and Laura was so special to me. We laughed together and cried together. They really listened to me.  I felt like I belonged here.  

How have you benefitted from volunteering? / What does volunteering mean to you?  
It’s given me my life back.  I very sadly lost my husband 8 years ago. He was under the care of St Rocco’s hospice. They were amazing. I always thought that a hospice was a place you go to die, but it gave my John his life back. They were brilliant with him, but they were also brilliant with me. I knew that I always wanted to give back to the Hospice, then I moved to Morecambe 3 years ago. I didn’t really know anyone, but I met Louise at a Slimming World group, and she mentioned about volunteering for St John’s, so I thought this was my time to give back. Volunteering has made me feel like me again. For the first time in my working life, I feel valued, appreciated and loved. The team at Caton Road are so special. They make it a special place to work. I love it. I genuinely love coming here. I have since joined the SJH choir and made lots more friends and I am just so happy.  

What is the most unexpected thing you’ve learnt from volunteering?  
That there is life after death. I never thought I would be able to go on after my husband died but this is happiest and most confident, I have felt in such a long time. When I came for the interview, I didn’t think I could work in a shop. I was thinking more about volunteering in the office but now I love working in the shop. I love seeing the regular customers and having a laugh and chat with them. I’ve learnt so many new skills, like how to use a till. Most of all I never expected to make genuine friends. I never expected to feel love again.  

Chris volunteers in our Sustainable Superstore on Kingsway in Lancaster, one of our three ‘hubs’ that can store and sort extra donations.

I started volunteering in the old warehouse back in 2019. But when COVID hit we obviously couldn’t volunteer anymore. During that time I lost my husband and didn’t think my life would ever be the same again. Volunteering for St John’s allows me to give back to the hospice who cared for my husband.
In 2023 I decided that I needed to get back out and keep myself busy. I tried volunteering in a couple of shops but when I came to the Kingsway shop it just felt right. I love working in the sorting hub, sorting through all of the donations which come in. You never know what you might come across. People are so generous with what they give.
I was apprehensive about coming to work in a shop. My eyesight is not good enough to use the till and I didn’t know what help I would be. I never worked in retail during my career so it was all very different. I love merchandising the store, moving the products around to show them off and help them sell. I end up catching up with people who I haven’t seen for years. Volunteering has been so good for both my mental and physical health. It gives me something to think about. I’m 80 this year and I have learnt to be adaptable again.
The staff and the other volunteers make it so worthwhile. They have become genuine friends. They have given me a purpose again. They even call me the Sorting Hub Manager. I started off by doing a few hours once a week, but I enjoy it so much I now come in serval days a week and often stay for the full day.

Jade and Lucy volunteer with our online retail team, preparing, researching and sending items sold on eBay and Depop.

As sisters, we’ve been volunteering at St John’s Hospice for just over three years and it’s been the perfect opportunity for us to build skills and confidence. We help out at the Caton Road shop, mainly photographing and uploading items to sell on Depop but Lucy particularly loves sorting through the donations. This role suits us well and we are able to fit it around our other commitments such as school and work. Volunteering has been such a rewarding experience for both of us. It has helped Jade enhance her CV and university applications, and Lucy used her role towards her Duke of Edinburgh Award and as a placement for her Year 10 work experience. Volunteering is a brilliant opportunity for young people but no matter your age, there is a role for you at St John’s Hospice.
We’ve also met so many incredible people through the hospice, including e-commerce coordinator Leanne, who’s always there to support us as volunteers. Since we began volunteering, we have taken part in the Cross Bay Walk and Moonlight Walk, with our family, and we have also helped Leanne at the bridal and prom dress events -all of which we have thoroughly enjoyed!
It feels great to be able to give back to our local community by raising funds for the hospice through doing something we enjoy – especially knowing that we or someone we love may need the hospice’s care one day.

Glenda is an admin volunteer, helping our office staff with some of their tasks – Glenda actually volunteers with our Volunteering team!

What is your most memorable moment as a volunteer? 
My most memorable moment was on the 11th  April 2011 when Princess Alexandra came to SJH to celebrate its 25th anniversary. I was chosen, together with other volunteers, to meet the Princess. My role was to accompany her on the tour around the Hospice, carrying a glass of water on a silver tray, in case she needed a drink. I remember having to curtsey!  

How have you benefitted from volunteering? / What does volunteering mean to you?  
Volunteering means the world to me, and I always feel happy when I come for a shift.  I do not have a big family so SJH is like my family. Knowing there is always someone I can talk to about anything gives me great comfort. It doesn’t matter what role you do; everyone is treated so well. I feel my life has been enriched by the way I have been able to help and reassure other people about coming to the Hospice.  

What is the most unexpected thing you’ve learnt from volunteering?  
As opposed to a lot of big companies where the ‘big bosses’ are not normally seen, here at SJH SMT and the Board of Trustees are so friendly, know everyone and include everyone.  Unfortunately, there is often a negative perception about visiting the Hospice, but this is so wrong as everyone is so welcoming and reassuring in a lovely environment.  One of my volunteer roles, helping in the Day Therapy Department, enabled me to learn how to engage with patients and understand how best to approach them in difficult circumstances.  

What is your most memorable moment as a volunteer? 
I was asked by the Hospice at Home team, following a request by one of their patients, that she wanted a visit from a Therapy dog. I have been visiting the Ward at SJH for a while now with Molly, my cockapoo, and we felt honoured to be able to fulfil this request. It was wonderful that Molly could provide such comfort at this time.  

How have you benefitted from volunteering? / What does volunteering mean to you?  
I have benefited from volunteering as it allows me to give something back, as both my parents were cared for at the end of their lives in the 1990’s. It means so much to me that I can share Molly with the patients, and staff, because of her calm temperament.  

What is the most unexpected thing you’ve learnt from volunteering?  
The most unexpected thing I feel has been that people open up so much more because of Molly being there.