Clive & Lynda – Hospice Volunteers
“Knowing that the volunteering Clive and I do helps the hospice provide care to local people, at a time in their lives when they need it most, is incredibly rewarding.
“We both enjoy volunteering for the charity so much, and we’ve made many friends through volunteering as well,” says Lynda Reeve who has been a hospice volunteer for a number of years, alongside her husband Clive.
Every year more than 4,000 people living with a progressive or life-limiting illness, and their families, are supported throughout East and Mid 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, supported by a fantastic team of volunteers, like Lynda and Clive Reeve, whose generosity enables the hospice to continue evolving its services to care for more people in the local community.
The couple, who live in Ipswich, have been married for 38 years and both enjoy their regular volunteering shifts at St Elizabeth Hospice.
Clive began volunteering in 2014 and supports the hospice as a clinical stores volunteer on Monday mornings, as well as helping at the charity’s Heath Road Retail Shop on Wednesday afternoons.
Together, they have also supported fundraising events including the Christmas Day Dip, Midnight Walk and Suffolk Dog Day.
Clive said: “Volunteering fits really well with our lives now we’re retired. We still enjoy our visits to Suffolk villages together for a walk and a wander, and I can enjoy my Thursdays playing golf or doing the housework while Lynda volunteers at the coffee shop.
“My role as a clinical stores volunteer at the main hospice involves checking the NHS deliveries that come in, making sure we’ve received everything we should and then storing it correctly for the clinical team.
“I also volunteer at the Heath Road Retail Shop, on Wednesday afternoons, serving at the counter, taking in donations and putting out new stock.
“It’s nice to have a chat with some of the customers and meet old friends I haven’t seen for years when they pop in.
“It shows what a strong community there is around the hospice shop. The staff and other volunteers are all so friendly.”
“I just love volunteering at Moments Coffee Shop,” added Lynda, who started volunteering for the hospice in 2020.
“I did a little bit of volunteering in the retail shop, but I’m now based in the coffee shop, preparing food, serving drinks and taking orders from customers at the till.
“The coffee machine was my nemesis initially, but with help from the team I’ve really learnt the skill and now it’s something I really enjoy.
“We have lots of regular customers, so there are always catch-ups and chats. It’s a real community hub and it’s a pleasure to be part of it.
“There’s also a lovely social side to volunteering at the Heath Road Coffee Shop. The staff and volunteers get together each month for social events, whether that’s going bowling, having fish and chips in Felixstowe or going out for a meal.
“Clive and I have both made so many new friends through volunteering. The hospice is a really warm place to be, with such a great sense of camaraderie.”
Clive said: “I really think everyone should give volunteering a try. We all have skills that could help the hospice and it’s lovely to think that the support we give makes a difference to someone receiving the vital care they need.
“As a retired couple, it’s lovely to be able to both volunteer for the hospice, while still having time to enjoy ourselves outside of volunteering.
“It’s a perfect balance. You get a real sense of reward and knowing you’re giving back to your community is a special feeling.”