For many of our volunteers, a personal connection has led them to support the hospice. Jean Devenney has been a dedicated volunteer since January 2023, working in both The Hive café and on the Reception desk at Selly Park.
Her role on reception involves greeting visitors, answering phone calls and assisting with various enquiries. On Wednesday afternoons, Jean splits her team between serving food at The Hive and helping on Reception. Jean enjoys the vibrant environment, saying, “we get staff and visitors in for refreshments, and it’s nice for them to take a break and just talk to someone. All the staff and volunteers here are lovely.”
Jean looks forward to coming to the hospice every week, describing the experience as rewarding. “That feeling you are giving something back and helping people is incredible,” she said.
Jean has a personal link to the hospice as in 2004, her mother was diagnosed with cancer and received care from the Hospice at Home team. Jean remembers, “they used to come every day to see Mum and provide care at home. They were great. I always said that when I retire, I would do something for Birmingham Hospice.” Thus, after retiring in 2020, she started looking for volunteer opportunities and began her role in January. Jean said, “I just love it. I love coming and seeing people.”
Reflecting on her mother Gladys’s care, Jean described her as a hardworking woman who worked until she was 76. Once Gladys was diagnosed in 2004, the hospice staff provided support at home. “They organised a bed downstairs, provided a special mattress, and all types of equipment that helped her,” Jean said. “The hospice team would visit once or twice a day which was fantastic because we could ask them at any time if there was a change in mum’s condition or if we were worried about anything.”
Jean said she would urge anyone to consider hospice care. “It’s so lovely and peaceful, and the care they give is second to none,” she said. The one-to-one support available is something Jean highly recommends, as it made a significant difference in her mother’s care.
