Bubbly volunteer-duo, Susan Race and Amanda Hall work together in Day Care every Monday.
Susan joined Day Care in November having originally volunteered six years ago as a Hostess then moving on to working with patients with the Creative Memories team for two years.
Amanda trained as a Health Care Assistant 15 years ago and worked at Ipswich Hospital and for the Nuffield. She has volunteered in Day Care for the past two years and loves the new facilities: “It is so airy and spacious and makes such a difference to the patients’ experience.”
Both ladies are often mistaken as sisters, they think due to their identical 5’ 2’’ heights and outgoing personalities. They met and became friends since working at the Hospice. They laugh: “We don’t stop chatting!”
Susan recently took Amanda to the Volunteer Long Service event as her guest where she received her 5 year service award.
“It was a lovely day with so many people enjoying well-deserved recognition.”
Susan’s first experience of the work St Elizabeth Hospice was when her niece was cared for in the Inpatient Unit, she recalls: “The Hospice staff were so good to her, they really do go the extra mile for those in their care.”
After her positive experiences with the Hospice, Susan found herself wanting to help; as she worked in an office, Susan knew she wanted to work with people.
She said: “Volunteering as a hostess meant that I helped put people at ease before their appointments. People would arrive for the first time and I could see them feeling anxious, just a friendly face and some chat would make all the difference. It was good to know that you had made that first contact easier for someone.”
Amanda agrees: “I really enjoy the sociable side, helping people. People tend to have a fear of hospices; I wouldn’t be afraid to come here, there’s such a peaceful, lovely atmosphere in the place.”
Amanda’s role as a volunteer Health Care Assistant involves her assisting the nursing staff with bathing; personal care; moving and handling and ‘providing that vital extra pair of hands.’
Both ladies enjoy watching patients bond together to form helpful and supportive relationships, they agree:
“Patients in Day Care become really close as they make friends. People want to be together and seek one another out as they come in. Patients definitely pull together.”
Overwhelmingly, Amanda and Susan recognise that at St Elizabeth Hospice:
“is a loving, caring environment that is all about living.”
Find out more about joining our amazing team of volunteers.