Belinda is one of St Clare Hospice’s GriefLine volunteers, who help give grief a voice by offering her compassion and expert listening skills to support bereaved people via our free telephone support service. We spoke to Belinda about her St Clare Hospice story and how volunteering for GriefLine has improved her confidence.
Q: What inspired you to start volunteering at St Clare Hospice and what keeps you coming back?
‘I had previously been a secondary school governor for 14 years and enjoyed giving my time and knowledge where needed. I hadn’t thought about St Clare at all, but I saw a Facebook post for GriefLine volunteers and thought ‘I can do that’. I keep returning as I get a sense of satisfaction in many ways. By taking the calls and also helping the team with some basic administrative work and, on a personal level, I enjoy being part of a team again after retirement.’
Q: Can you share a memorable experience or moment from your time volunteering that really stuck with you?
‘Every call is important and different and I feel a sense of achievement in hopefully easing the pain for someone after every one.’
Q: How do you feel your role as a volunteer contributes to the work and mission of St Clare Hospice?
‘As with any charity, money is very tight. If my volunteering means that money can be spent on more needy resources, that’s great. Also, so many people that I socialise with had no idea of all the different services that the Hospice offers.’
Q: What have you gained personally from volunteering – skills, friendships, confidence or anything else?
‘I have gained so very much from being on GriefLine. The training reinforced the listening skills I had already acquired and puts them to use.
‘It’s great to feel part of such a hard working, dedicated team who care so much for the support of the patients and their families, and made me – and continue to make me – so welcome.
‘My confidence has improved so much, bringing out all the skills I have not used for many years, and especially the recognition, when I was nominated to attend the Buckingham Palace garden party.’
Q: What would you say to someone who is thinking about volunteering at St Clare Hospice but isn’t sure where to start?
‘Just do it! They have so many varied volunteer opportunities. There is almost certainly a skill you could offer them.’
Interested in volunteering?
If Belinda’s story has inspired you to volunteer your talents and time with St Clare, register your interest in volunteering below.