Published on: Wednesday 21 Jun 2017 at 11:07
During the course of national Volunteers’ Week (1 – 7 June), we issued 76 Long Service Awards to volunteers who have reached a milestone number of years in service to the organisation.
Forty volunteers achieved 5 year milestone awards, with nineteen volunteers achieving 10 year awards, seven volunteers with 15 years, and eight volunteers with 20 years. In addition, two dedicated supporters received awards for a remarkable 25 years of voluntary service to St Clare. Volunteer fundraisers Liz Jones and Letitia Berry have both supported the Hospice’s fundraising efforts for more than 25 years, taking part in various street collections and fundraising events over the decades.
To celebrate Volunteers’ Week, St Clare made special efforts to recognise and thank all of its 450 valued volunteers, with further celebrations lined up for the remainder of June.
Our clinical teams honoured their more than 60 clinical volunteers with a Fun Fair themed thank you party held in the Hospice dining room on Friday 9 June. Clinical volunteers assist in a wide range of roles, including as health care assistants and complimentary therapists, as well as supporting the Day Therapy groups and serving teas on the Inpatient Unit.
The party featured traditional Fun Fair games including hook-a-duck and hoopla, with volunteers treated to candy floss and toffee apples – bringing the fun of the fairground to the Hospice.
Emily Stowe, our Day Therapy Manager, who was part of the team who organised the party for the clinical volunteers, said:
“We really wanted to hold a special event to thank our wonderful volunteers – and to celebrate the ‘fun’ which they bring to St Clare every day! Thanking them with the fun of the fairground seemed like the perfect way to celebrate the smiles, laughter and joy that they bring to our patients and staff. We wanted to thank them for the help they give day in and day out – they make St Clare such a happy and friendly place, that they deserve to be spoiled!”
Aged from 14 to 91 years, St Clare volunteers provide essential support to the Hospice, with voluntary roles ranging from helping out in our eight charity shops, to helping on their Inpatient Unit, providing Bereavement Support, or providing companionship to people in their homes; alongside other crucial practical roles such as, photography, gardening, fundraising, helping at events – or being a Trustee.
Volunteers’ Week is a national celebration that occurs every year during the first week of June. Organisations, charities and communities across the UK take part in the celebration of volunteers who offer their time and skills to make a difference. Volunteers’ Week provides an opportunity to recognise and respect their invaluable efforts.
