“I am really enjoying it. It’s like a family, everyone is so friendly and helpful.” How volunteering has benefitted Weldmar, and our volunteers, over the last 30 years
7th June 2024
< BACK TO NEWSThis year Weldmar Hospicecare is celebrating its 30th anniversary, the volunteers who have kindly supported us with their time, skills and expertise helping in our shops, with fundraising events, on our wards, manning the receptions, helping in our wellbeing sessions and so much more over these 30 years have ensured that we could continue providing our specialist care and services both at our Inpatient Unit and in the community across Dorset. We met with some of our volunteers who are at various stages of their volunteering journey with us to find out why they chose to volunteer for the charity, what they enjoy about volunteering, and what Weldmar means to them.
Jay Creech – New Volunteer
Jay is a florist and owns and runs Floral Couture by Jay in Weymouth, he recently joined Weldmar as a Flower Arranging Volunteer using the skills he already used professionally.
“I’ve always followed Weldmar, but it wasn’t until my grandparents were looked after at Weldmar that I then knew a bit more about what they did. Their care is just incredible and we couldn’t have done it without them, the support and everything they gave was amazing. Being a florist, it’s what I grew up with my granddad in the garden. So it’s very close to what we did, so then when I saw for the floristry volunteer role, I thought it was the perfect way to give back for what you guys did.”
“I am really enjoying it, it’s really nice. It’s like a family, everyone is so friendly and helpful.”
Lynne Hawkins – 10 years volunteering
Lynne has been volunteering for one afternoon a week for the past 10 years. Her mum was cared for by Weldmar “I was still working then, and I vowed because they looked after us so well I needed to give something back.”
What she enjoys most about volunteering is the friendship, she said “we’ve got a good team, we do have a laugh, we go in, we all bring our biscuits and chocolate in. And ours is a shop where we’re a community shop, the people come in, they know us.”
Weldmar, and the services it provides mean a lot to Lynne “I know it will be there if I ever need it and any of my family. We are so lucky to have it on our doorstep in Dorset.”
Caroline Nairn – 20 years volunteering
When Caroline retired she wanted to take on a volunteer role, something probably hospital based where she was involved with the clients/patients. She started on the wards helping with meals and kitchen work and also with feeding those who needed assistance. She soon transferred to the art therapy room as painting is one of her hobbies and she has worked there since then. This involves helping the patients with their projects and giving advice if requested under the direction of the art therapist. She believes that her interest in the arts makes this the ideal volunteer job for her.
“Having several relatives who have suffered from cancer I was keen to volunteer with Weldmar which gives so much help to those with this condition. I particularly enjoy seeing the change in the service users as they gradually become involved with the group and the amazing results in the art and crafts they produce and the friendships they make. Weldmar is a lifeline for them and the work they do in the community so valuable.
It is my favourite charity.”
Pat Scarlett, Ann Palmer and Maureen Trent – 30+ years volunteering
If you have been to a Weldmar Hospicecare fundraiser over the last 30 years in Weymouth or been to our Summer Fete, you probably would have met one of these three lovely ladies who have been supporting the charity volunteering with fundraisers since the very beginning. Part of the ‘Weymouth Friends’ group they have run their own events, manned stalls in parks and on the seafront, been at markets and supported the shops. They said “It’s been good fun, we have had the greatest time, we have had a good laugh as well”
They all agreed that the charity means a lot to them as it is local, with the money going back to the community they have been supporting over the last three decades.
If you would like to join #TeamWeldmar as a volunteer, we would love to hear from you, whether you’re interested in lending a hand in one of our shops, serving meals to patients, offering complementary therapy, or helping out at a fundraising event.
Find out more about volunteering for WeldmarRelated Reading
30 ways to support Weldmar Hospicecare
Thirty ways that you can ensure we are there to provide care for families who need us in the future.
Learn more
