Birmingham Hospice has been marking Volunteers Week with a number of events to say thank you to those who selflessly give their own time to support us.
Volunteers’ Week is an annual UK-wide campaign to celebrate and recognise the contribution volunteers make to our society, running this year from Monday 2 – Sunday 8 June. Launched in 1984, this initiative has been running for over 40 years, providing organisations and communities with a platform to thank current and past volunteers for their invaluable efforts.
Last year, around 660 volunteers at the hospice contributed an astonishing 70,000 hours of work – that’s the equivalent of 35 full-time members of staff. Our volunteers work in a wide variety of roles including in catering, our Living Well Centres, spiritual and counselling support, Retail, Reception, our Hive cafés, administration and driving.
Hospice chief executive Paul Bytheway said: “Here at Birmingham Hospice, we have many reasons to be grateful to our volunteers who do so much to ensure we continue to provide the care our patients need and deserve.
“The hospice could not survive without the work that they do, supporting our communities and the people we care for. The compassion, dedication and enthusiasm our volunteers show for supporting the hospice is phenomenal.”
The hospice staged a number of celebrations during the week, including a breakfast gathering at its Selly Park site, an evening celebration at the Reloved Brum store in Harborne and an afternoon tea at its Erdington location. These events provided a chance to thank all of the hospice’s volunteers and present them with a small token of appreciation.
Robert Whittaker helps in our gardens, and with the Facilities Team after his mum had respite and then end of life care at the hospice.
He said: “I lost my mum 11 years ago at the hospice and I just like to be involved. I live in a flat and don’t have a garden, but I wanted to give something back to the hospice for everything they did for mum.
“Everyone goes out of their way to care for people and it’s like a second family. There’s an amazing upbeat atmosphere, which is a testament to the staff when you consider they are caring for people in the most difficult moments.
“For my point of view, it’s so nice to see patients enjoy the gardens and I love being outside in all weathers and making a difference. The hospice means a lot to me.”
To find out more about volunteering at the hospice, please visit their website at www.birminghamhospice.org.uk/volunteer.
The Executive Team has also recorded a video conveying our gratitude, which you can watch here.
