Lewis-Manning Hospice Care celebrates their fantastic and dedicated volunteers across Dorset.
Clare Gallie, CEO at Lewis-Manning Hospice Care said, “The first week of June 2020 is an important and very special week for everyone at Lewis-Manning Hospice Care as it is National Volunteers’ Week. During this week we want to make sure, more than ever, that the wonderful people who offer our local charity their continued help and time through volunteering, understand that we are all so very thankful for their support.
Our volunteers are wonderful people and so I wanted to say on behalf of everyone at our hospice, thank you. Without our volunteers we simply would not be able to help the local people that we are here to care for.”
Lewis-Manning Hospice Care is saying the biggest thank you to its devoted volunteers this Volunteers’ Week 2020. This is an annual celebration of the contribution made by millions of people across the UK, from June 1-7.
Lewis-Manning Hospice Care Patron, HM Lord-Lieutenant of Dorset, Angus Campbell said, “‘As we approach Volunteers’ Week, particularly in the shadow of the current coronavirus pandemic, I want to thank you all for your extraordinary, ongoing and selfless efforts as volunteers for Lewis-Manning Hospice Care.
As a Patron of Lewis-Manning Hospice Care and the representative of Her Majesty The Queen within the County of Dorset, I wish to express my huge appreciation and admiration for your dedication to the care and wellbeing of the vulnerable individuals that you serve through your work for this splendid organisation.
I have been hugely impressed with the way organisations and individuals have come together to support the sick and the vulnerable in all areas of their lives where they need protection and help during this current crisis. It is clear to me that you, who work as volunteers within Lewis-Manning Hospice Care, not only offer this support in normal times but doubly so at such times as these.
I know that Her Majesty would also wish me to you thank you for all that you have done and are doing in these difficult times.”
One of the charity’s incredible volunteers is Carol Burnell and she wanted to share her story about how and why she became a volunteer, how her role has changed due to COVID-19 and how fulfilling it is to be a volunteer.
Carol has been a volunteer at Lewis-Manning Hospice Care for more than a year and has spoken openly about her role and its many rewards.
Carol Burnell explained why she got involved in volunteering: “I feel I’ve had a great life so far, and I wanted to give something back. I’ve always loved a challenge and will have a go at most things. The idea of volunteering for a charity is something I had long considered, but it wasn’t until I started talking to close friends and family about how fantastic Lewis-Manning Hospice Care’s day care was that I felt I wanted to get involved and help others who needed support in my community.
“My day begins by picking up patients from their homes. It’s fulfilling knowing that when you turn up to collect someone, it’s going to give them the chance to get out and meet other people in similar situations, and it gives their family or carer some respite. It doesn’t take much time out of my day, but I know it means the world to the people who need help getting to the hospice.
“After collecting patients, we travel to the hospice where I join the rest of the day care team. From the start I felt an integral part of the team right from the word go. The staff and volunteers have all got their roles to play and we just come in and get going with our daily tasks, like making drinks. It’s very important that we provide them with their teas, coffees, water and the other things they want and, because many of them can’t move unaided, so can’t make drinks themselves. Plus, we want to spoil them!
“Volunteering at Lewis-Manning Hospice Care has changed how I feel every day. Every volunteer you talk to will say that being here really helps to keep you grounded. It makes you evaluate and put life into perspective, so for me that’s one of the personal benefits. I love coming here and I would recommend it to anyone. It’s such an important place to give your time to and in return it is truly rewarding knowing you are playing a part in helping local people and their families.”
Since the day hospice closed in March due to COVID-19 pandemic, Carol’s role has altered dramatically, and she is now supporting five patients in isolation, which could be a phone call to reassure patients the charity is still here for them.
Continues Carol: “We are their lifeline in these difficult times. I make sure medical needs are passed to the nursing team and on occasion I have dropped off essentials. Patients are so grateful for the support they receive, one said recently that ‘nobody but Lewis-Manning has helped me during the past few weeks’.
“This is tough to hear, but it’s the reason why I volunteer, knowing how much the patients appreciate the calls and how vital Lewis-Manning Hospice Care is in the local community.”
To find out more about Lewis-Manning Hospice Care’s vital services, or if you would like information about volunteering please visit their website.
http://www.lewis-manning.co.uk