Rose first came to St Clare Hospice while working in mental health at St Margaret’s Hospital.
Rose said: ‘I’ve been volunteering for around 11 years. Before I retired, I worked in mental health for the NHS, helping people in the community. One of my patients needed to come to the hospice, so I came along to support them, offering relaxation like I normally would.
‘When I walked into St Clare for the first time. I walked into reception, and it was the feeling that I got, and it was – I can’t describe it…it was just a lovely feeling.
‘Then I went onto the Inpatient Unit, and again, it was so calm, but happy, it was bright, and it was that time that I decided “When I retire, I’m going to volunteer here” and probably two years on, I retired…and here I am.’
Rose shared that relaxation has always been important to her, both personally and professionally.
‘I think I’ve always enjoyed a calm space, no matter what’s happening. I think it’s always been in me, but I suppose, for other people, I can just see how it [relaxation] works.
‘I didn’t know a lot before I started to work in the NHS. I knew about meditation and things like that, but actual relaxation, I had not really come across it.
‘But the best way to explain it is you can see the benefits when you’re working with a group of people or an individual, you can see their tension just drain away.
‘If they have pain, I don’t take the pain away, but pain eases, or they don’t notice it, purely because they’re relaxed. The tension eases, so the pain eases.’
Rose runs relaxation sessions for patients, their families, and staff – both in person and through videos on the St Clare Hospice website.
These sessions help people release tension in their bodies by focusing on each muscle group from toes to head. And if they enjoy it, Rose also guides them through a calming visualisation.
‘I help them imagine a place they love – maybe a holiday or a walk in their garden. They know that garden, like the back of their hand, and it’s just a way to continue that relaxation. To keep your head distracted and be in that place, not where you actually are. That’s the beauty of it,’ she added.
Rose volunteers both in the Inpatient Unit and the Wellbeing Hub, and no two days are the same.
She explained: ‘There is no typical day, and that’s what I love about working in health. Before I retired and after.’
Like all Hospice care, Rose’s relaxation sessions are person-centred meaning they are available to meet people where they are.
‘I have an information sheet that I give to patients and families. The sheet offers them a little bit of information and education on why relaxation is so important, along with links to access the relaxation sessions in their own time.’
Listen to Rose’s relaxation sessions
If you’d like to take some time out to relax using one of Rose’s relaxation sessions, visit her playlist below.
St Clare Hospice relaxation videos
Interested in volunteering?
If Rose’s story has inspired you to volunteer your time and skills with St Clare, register your interest in volunteering below.