I have been volunteering with St Mary’s since 2017. I started out at the charity shop in Ulverston and then after a year of experience in a retail setting, I applied for a role within the hospice on the In-Patient Unit. My volunteer role includes assisting with meal times for the patients. It is a very fulfilling and rewarding role, in which you have the opportunity to chat to the patients. At first, this was a very daunting experience being a young volunteer in a healthcare setting, but the staff have always been very friendly and approachable if you need a helping hand.
Volunteering has enhanced my life skills and also my confidence by getting me out of my comfort zone. My time spent volunteering on the unit has left me with a real insight into healthcare and inspired me to apply for Adult Nursing at university. One thing out of the many things I enjoy about it, is the warm and welcoming atmosphere on the unit.
I volunteer an hour per week and although it is a small role, I came to realise that the littlest things can make the biggest difference.