St Elizabeth Hospice is calling on coastal communities to consider volunteering for the independent Suffolk charity as it continues to expand its free specialist care services to people in Great Yarmouth and Waveney, provided in partnership with East Coast Community Healthcare (ECCH).
Since launching in April 2019, the joint initiative has delivered vital care to more than 2,000 people and their families throughout the communities of Great Yarmouth and Waveney.
This care is made possible by the staff from the hospice and ECCH but also by more than 100 volunteers who generously give their time to support the service.
These volunteers provide their help in many ways, including supporting fundraising events, working in the administration teams, providing assistance to clinical staff and working in one of St Elizabeth Hospice’s seven retail shops, such as in Beccles, Gorleston and Southwold.
Volunteering sees supporters donate any amount of time they are able to do so, while also providing the opportunity to learn new skills, which can be used in other areas of their lives, and the chance to make new friends.
One St Elizabeth Hospice volunteer is Amanda who has volunteered for the hospice for two years at its Southwold retail shop and at the hospice’s Community Care Unit services (previously known as Day Care services) provided at Beccles Hospital.
“I really enjoy volunteering, meeting new people, learning about their roles and developing new skills,” explained Amanda, who lives near Beccles.
“In the shop it’s great to have the chance meet customers and learn what’s hot and what’s not in retail, while volunteering for the Community Care Unit is very rewarding.
“You feel like a valued member of the team carrying out your role knowing its helping others receive vital support from the hospice and ECCH’s partnership.”
The joint initiative between the hospice and ECCH launched 2019, with the aim of bringing greater parity in the levels and range of care available to the communities of Great Yarmouth and Waveney in comparison to the rest of the region.
Since then more than 2,000 people have been supported by the partnership via the service’s 24-hour advice line OneCall, at Beccles Hospital, in the community through hospice clinical nurse specialists working across Waveney and Great Yarmouth or received support through the hospice’s emotional, wellbeing and bereavement support service, LivingGrief.
By joining the hospice’s raft of volunteers in the Great Yarmouth and Waveney area, supporters will be making a valuable contribution to a service which supporters many people in these communities who are living through some of the most difficult times in their lives.
Jemma Wood, Volunteer Development Manager at St Elizabeth Hospice, said: “All our volunteers are such a valuable part of the St Elizabeth Hospice family and help us ensure we are able to continue supporting patients and their families in the local community who need our care during very difficult times in their lives.
“Since launching our service with ECCH in Great Yarmouth and Waveney, we have been so grateful for the support these communities have given us. As a partnership, we are constantly looking to evolve and expand our services to provide support to more patients and their families in this area.
“By volunteering for the hospice you will be helping ensure people in your local area receive the care they need. If you think you could spare time to volunteer, even if only for a few hours a week, please get in contact with our team who would be more than happy to help.”
To learn more about volunteering opportunities at St Elizabeth Hospice email volunteer@stelizabethhospice.org.uk or visit www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk/support-us/support-us/volunteer-for-us/.