3. Penny Wykes-Sneyd

Penny is a familiar face at Weldmar’s Inpatient Unit, having been a regular volunteer there since February 1997.

Having lived abroad for a number of years and used to keeping busy, Penny returned to rural Dorset and immediately started to look for something to do. Juniper Greener, the wife of the charity’s first Chairman, Major John Greener, suggested to Penny that she looked into volunteering at the hospice, and she went along the very next day.

Penny started with arranging flowers and organising the library. She has gone on volunteer on reception, help at mealtimes, provide Gentle Touch therapy to patients and those experiencing bereavement, become a member of the Volunteer Forum, and even sit on the Nutrition and Catering committee!

“I simply love it,” says Penny. “Everyone here is so friendly and it really is such a happy place to work. I love talking to the patients when I help with breakfast, and I get such a marvellous reaction doing the Gentle Touch, as it helps people completely relax. Reception is wonderful as I get to talk to all the visitors.

“My mother was a nurse during the war. I never would have passed the exams, but I feel as though I’m doing my little bit of nursing and therapy. Things I would have loved to do in the past and now I’m able to do, and I know how much it’s appreciated.”