When Harry met Christine - youngest hospice volunteer meets the oldest

When I signed up to volunteer at North Devon Hospice, I thought I’d be folding clothes and sorting donations. 

I didn’t know I’d end up having tea with someone nearly eight decades older than me! And I definitely didn’t expect to have so much in common with her!

I’m Harry. I’m 13, and I volunteer at the Torrington charity shop for North Devon Hospice. I usually help by sorting through bags of donations, tidying the stockroom, and doing my bit wherever I can. I wanted to do something that would help others, even if it was only in a small way. And honestly, I have already seen how even small things can make a big difference.

This week, I met Christine for the first time. She is 91 and has been volunteering with the hospice for thirty years, which is pretty amazing. She started back in 1995 after her dad was looked after by the hospice. 

Talking to her about that time showed me how personal volunteering can be. It is not just about giving your time. It is about caring for people when they really need it.

Christine told me about all the different things she’s done over the years, transport support for patients, supporting patients, and now being part of the Supportive Care team working with patients and families one-to-one. 

But what stuck with me was how she described her role: “Giving people the time they need, the space they need, and a listening ear or even a warm hug if that’s what’s needed.” 

That made me stop and think. Sometimes just being there is the most important thing.

Even though there are nearly eight decades between us, I felt like Christine, and I understood each other straight away. She said it gave her hope to see someone my age getting involved and wanting to help. 

“It is really encouraging,” she said, “to see young people who care.” That meant a lot coming from someone who has been doing this for longer than I have been alive.

We also chatted about why we volunteer. For Christine, it is about honouring her dad and helping the place that supported her family. 

For me, it’s more about doing something kind, especially when I know that my little bit of time can help someone else’s day feel a bit better.

The funny thing is, even though we are from completely different generations, our reasons are similar. We both believe in kindness. 

We both believe in being there for people. And we both believe that no good deed is ever too small.

If you are thinking about volunteering, Christine and I would both say the same thing. GO FOR IT! 

You don’t need to be a certain age or have loads of experience. You just need to care. You might end up meeting someone who inspires you, like I did.

So yes, I signed up thinking I would just be folding clothes. But I ended up having one of the most interesting and inspiring conversations to date. 

It turns out that when it comes to kindness, age doesn’t matter at all. If you have a bit of spare time and a big heart, sign up to volunteer. 

You never know whose life you might brighten, including your own.