The Hospice - which is dedicated to providing specialist supportive and palliative care to adult patients and their family, friends and carers – needs to bolster its fabulous volunteer team, in preparation for the move to the larger facility which will also offer new voluntary roles not seen at the existing hospice.
Volunteers have been at the heart of the Hospice since it first opened its doors on the Brookfield Hospital site on Mill Road 35 years ago. Having started with just a handful of volunteers, the Hospice now relies on a fantastic team of over 360 to provide essential support within a myriad of roles. Whether a volunteer’s support is provided within the clinical, fundraising or administrative departments, the value of their support is immeasurable and often it is their presence and warm welcome which can help normalize experiences for those receiving the Hospice’s care.
The need for a new influx of volunteers has become increasingly physically apparent as the building has sprung up at Shelford Bottom: with a building footprint of 2500 m2 and a total floor area of 5000m2 over two floors the new building will more than double the size of the current facilities at Mill Road. With twice the number of patient beds and around three times the amount of outdoor and garden space, the new Hospice will be very well equipped to cope with Cambridgeshire’s future demand for supportive and specialist palliative care.
New roles at the brand new facility include patient group activity leader, education receptionist, education assistant, café assistants and meet and greet representatives. Additionally the Hospice is seeking to further strengthen the number of volunteers helping with driving, gardening, afternoon tea, the Inpatient Unit, reception, the shops and bereavement support. A great deal of support will also be needed in the fundraising department in order to keep raising the £2 million required each year to fund essential Hospice services. Those volunteering can choose to donate just two to three hours of their time each week or fortnight (or more if it suits) and with such a wide range of available roles the Volunteer Services team are dedicated to finding the right fit for your availability and skills.
Volunteering in the Hospice for a few hours each week enables your skills, knowledge and experience to be used directly help those patients, family and friends who come into contact with its care. Its benefits are reciprocal, as Maureen Pettengell, a reception volunteer who joined TEAM ARTHUR in February, explains: “I joined Arthur Rank as I had some free time and felt it would be rewarding to put my time into the community. My role as a receptionist is very varied: no two shifts are the same and I learn something new each shift I do. I work with some lovely people, who are so dedicated to their jobs at the hospice. Volunteering is rewarding in many ways and you could also become a part of this special team, if you have any free time.”
Bianca Parker-Beckett, HR & Voluntary Services Manager, adds: “We are really excited about this new chapter for the Hospice and look forward to securing new volunteer members to join TEAM ARTHUR: we would not be able to provide the same levels of personable and high quality care without their support. Inductions and full training will be given to all volunteers before they start and they will receive ongoing support for their roles. We hope those living in and around the area of Great Shelford itself might be the first to come forward but with Babraham Park & Ride just next door, we have the advantage that our new home will be easy to access from wherever you live!”
Image: Lily Barrett volunteers for three hours a week in Day Therapy
If you're Team Cambridge, you should be TEAM ARTHUR too. Watch the brilliant Team Arthur video from Somersault
To find out more about how you can volunteer and become part of TEAM ARTHUR please contact Vipra Jain, (Recruitment and Training Coordinator, Voluntary Services) by calling 01223 723117, emailing Volunteer@arhc.org.uk, or -for more information - visit http://www.arhc.org.uk/volunteering.asp
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