Do you want to make a real difference to your local community by helping others in their time of need? Yvette Hockley, the new Volunteer Coordinator at South Bucks Hospice, tells here how you can contribute.
If I told you that doing something for just two hours a week could improve the quality of your life significantly, would you be interested?
Or how about if I added that this activity would also help you to make new friends and learn new skills - and that by doing it, you would also be helping the community? Yes, it would almost seem too good an opportunity to turn down if you could spare the time.
I am very fortunate as the new Volunteer Coordinator at South Bucks Hospice to be spreading the following message to the community: volunteering is not only good for the people you volunteer for, but it also is good for you.
I have been in post at the hospice for just a month and have seen first-hand the pleasure that volunteering brings to those who volunteer.
If you have a few hours to spare and want to feel that you are making a difference, please get in contact with me.
There is a range of volunteering roles, and people should look for opportunities that suit their skills or interests. For instance, we are looking for people to assist in our wonderful charity shops at Bourne End and Hazlemere, or to become bereavement listening volunteers for our new telephone service which helps people trying to come to terms with the loss of a loved one.
There are also volunteering jobs for drivers, or for people to help on reception. Whatever you do, you don't need to spend hours volunteering - just a small amount of time on a regular basis will go a very long way.
I volunteer in my private life and know that warm feeling that doing something for someone else to help them, without any financial reward, is a joy only known to other people who volunteer.
Just recently, I heard a volunteer at the hospice say: "This is just what I need to get the brain working again after spending so much time alone. It'll get me out and talking to people, it's just what I need." Another told me: "I wanted to do something to help people and this opportunity will make patients feel good but will make me feel good too."
You only need a few minutes to make a difference to someone’s life, but the difference you make to someone’s life can make a lifetime's worth of difference.
If you are interested, please email me at volunteers@sbhospice.org.uk
