Christine has volunteered in the family support team as a Bereavement Counsellor for around 6 years.
What is your volunteer role at the hospice, and can you explain to people what you do?
My role is a Bereavement Counsellor and I work with those who are bereaved specifically children but also with adults.
I am fortunate as I can go into the schools and talk to kids about bereavement. I am able to work one to one and although the hospice is a brilliant place, some children who have suffered bereavement prefer us to go to them in school rather than coming here. It is fantastic that the hospice allows me to do this, I love it!
How did you start volunteering with EVH?
I have volunteered for around 6 years. I used to work in Carlisle College with teenagers and adults for 20 years and after retiring it took me a little while to realise that I needed to get back into something. Originally, I came to the hospice looking to volunteer in anything but because they saw the experience and qualifications I had, they instantly signposted me for a counselling role. I have done it ever since and it has been brilliant!
What do you like most about volunteering with us?
I love the atmosphere here, when I speak to families who have lost people in the hospice, including myself who lost my sister-in-law here, they’re so pleased to be in the hospice. The atmosphere when they come out the room and walk around the grounds gives them that sense of normality.
It’s beautiful, everyone who works here fits in and knows how much of a great place it is. You volunteer because you enjoy it, the people here are so nice to work alongside.
Would you recommend to other people? And if so, why?
I would definitely recommend it; it gets you out and allows you to mix with people, it’s something different and you get to see new faces. I love the job I do and getting positive feedback is such a valuable part of the role. It’s nice to know you can help people deal with what is going on with their lives. There are so many areas of volunteering that all contribute towards making the hospice the place it is.
