Why I have volunteered for St Luke’s for over 20 years

I was a very young child when my father passed away and then eighteen months later my mother also died, both of them from cancer. I was too young to understand what was happening. Luckily for me and my sister, we were then brought up by two aunts and uncles. As these losses occurred shortly after World War II, neither of our aunts and uncles were able to take the two of us together as they had children of their own so I was brought up by one aunt and uncle and my sister by the other. Fortunately, both families lived very close to each other.

Fast forward sixty plus years and when I was coming up to retirement, I used to pass The Grange building at St. Luke’s Hospice every day on the way to work. The Grange is a most beautiful building and used to be a Manor House.  

Because of the many losses in my family, the thought kept coming to me that I’d like to volunteer for a charity that helps cancer patients when I retire. Then in 2002 I applied for the voluntary post of receptionist at St Luke’s and was accepted at the end of April. I had previously been employed as a secretary/PA to the Chairman and Company Secretary of a FTSE 100 company.

My duties were during a four-hour shift, once a week, and I chose Wednesday afternoons. I really enjoyed these shifts, working with one other volunteer.  Many families and friends of the patients visited for the first time and were amazed that the Hospice is like a 5-star hotel with exemplary care provided by the medical staff. Receptionists’ duties are mainly to greet visitors, answer the telephone and frank post. I worked with many different people and with one lovely lady in particular for ten years. Many of them became my friends.

The only time (other than illness and holidays) I didn’t work was during the lockdown from March to October 2020. 

This July at a summer party to celebrate 35 years of care, I was presented with my 20-year badge, together with a beautiful bouquet of flowers, bottle of Prosecco and chocolates. I was also handed a lovely letter of thanks for my loyalty and dedication which I shall cherish.

I’ve loved every moment volunteering at St. Luke’s. It’s a cheerful place, the staff and other volunteers are so friendly. After completing just over 20 years of service and because I’m not as fit as I was, I decided that I had done my bit for this wonderful charity and that someone else should take my place.