“I have a strong personal connection to the hospice as my wife, my brother and my mum all passed away at St Elizabeth Hospice, under their personal, compassionate care,” explained Brian Jacobs, who has been a volunteer at St Elizabeth Hospice since 2020.
“Through volunteering I am able to give back to the brilliant hospice team, and I always leave the hospice feeling I have left repaid them in some way for the great support they gave my family at difficult times in our lives.”
Every year more than 3,000 people living with a progressive or life-limiting illness, and their families, are supported throughout east Suffolk, Great Yarmouth and Waveney by the free specialist palliative care provision of St Elizabeth Hospice.
This care is provided by hospice staff who operate throughout the region but who are supported by a fantastic team of volunteers, like Brian, whose generosity enables St Elizabeth Hospice to continue evolving its services to care for more people in the local community.
Brian, who lives in Ipswich, said: “There is a great bunch of people at the hospice and it is great fun to volunteer alongside them.
“I volunteer 9am-1pm every Tuesday and Thursday as a driver for the hospice’s Hub, delivering medication and medical equipment to the hospice and other healthcare providers.
“While on Fridays I volunteer an hour of my time to do the important ‘Bun Run’! This sees me taking a range of delicious bakes from the hospice kitchen to their Moments Coffee Shop, on Heath Road, for customers to enjoy – I love the variety volunteering at the hospice gives me.
“From my family’s experience of the hospice I was very aware of the work they do and their importance in the community. My sister Linda Wilder also works at the hospice, so when she suggested I volunteer with driving medical equipment at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic I jumped at the chance and haven’t looked back.
“Although I am now retired, I used to work as an engineer before working as a driver for Boots pharmacy, so volunteering as a driver for the hospice was something I knew I would be able to do.
“It’s hard to put the hospice into words really. What they did for our family was incredible, nothing was ever too much. They really do support both the patient and their family during a time of great uncertainty by providing reassurance through all their care.
“I recommend everyone gives volunteering a try. It is so satisfying and gives you such a feel good feeling every time you volunteer. You meet so many lovely people, make lots of new friends and you spend time in such a special place in your community which supports so many people.”
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/.