Use your free time to do something truly meaningful - North Devon Hospice

If you’re looking to fill your time in a meaningful and important way, North Devon Hospice volunteer Liz explains why volunteering at the hospice offers the perfect solution.

I first realised how much of a difference hospice care can make to someone at the end of their life when I sadly lost one of my closest relatives to cancer. The care, compassion, and pure love that is shown to both patients and their families is so special and something that makes an incredibly painful process that little bit more bearable.

After journeying through this myself, I wanted to use that experience to help support others in the community facing a similar situation; I’ve been volunteering on the hospice’s Bedded Unit ever since.

Every week on a Wednesday between 5pm and 8pm, I spend time with patients, families, and staff on the unit, helping out in whatever way I can. Sometimes, this means popping my head around the door to say hello to patients or being a friendly face for visiting family members to chat to.

Other times, it’s helping to deliver home-cooked meals from the hospice kitchen or making cups of tea for the busy nurses on shift that evening. Whatever I’m doing, I’m always made to feel extremely welcome and know just how much my time is appreciated.

After having a knee operation earlier this year, I recently returned to my volunteering role at the hospice and can’t tell you how good it feels to be back. When I walked back through the doors of the Bedded Unit a few weeks ago, it was like coming home to family; everyone is so lovely, warm, and welcoming. To be part of such a special community is a real privilege and something that for me, brings a lot of pleasure.

Often, it can be hard for the people being cared for by the hospice to talk about how they really feel in the face of their illness through fear of upsetting those around them. Sometimes, it can be easier to chat with volunteers like me because we are distanced from the situation and can simply be a listening ear. To be able to comfort someone in this way at such a difficult time and hear them open up and share their stories is a very rewarding experience.

For anyone looking to fill their time in a meaningful and important way, volunteering at the hospice offers the perfect solution.

Giving back to the community like this is truly a fantastic thing to do and despite what some may think, a lot of fun! Though the hospice is an incredibly peaceful place, there is always so much love, laughter, and joy that happens there. I consider myself very lucky to be part of this.

Written by Liz Burwood, North Devon Hospice Volunteer