Meet Alice our Fundraising volunteer

Our volunteers are an essential part of our work here at the Hospice and we are very grateful to them. We want to shine a spotlight on the amazing work they do. Meet Alice, one of our Fundraising volunteers.

Alice started volunteering back in 2016 and has continued to support the Hospice at various fundraising events within the community. We caught up with Alice to learn more about her role and why she wanted to volunteer.

Alice said: “It’s a loving community that aids people and their families in their time of need. It provides a place of comfort for the patients and families and all those involved in the hospice. All members of staff work as hard as possible to provide the best care possible.  The setting of the hospice provides as calming environment, which is also used to its full potential during some fundraising events, such as Light Up for Life and the Summer Fair which draw in the local community, and emphasises how much of an impact the hospice has in the Five Towns area of Wakefield District.

I chose to volunteer at the Hospice, because it plays a major role in the community, and I wanted to do something to give back. The role of a fundraising volunteer is very flexible. This meant that I could help out, whilst still doing my academic studies and hobbies. It also meant that I could gain knowledge and experience of working in a professional environment.

At the beginning, I simply collected the cash tins from the local businesses, this was a simple task, but enabled me to develop my professional attitude. The businesses are all really friendly and loved that they were seeing young adults helping out in the community. More recently I volunteered at Accelerate Car Show where I dressed up as one of the Hospice’s mascots. I really enjoy helping at events like this, as you get to meet and talk to families and friends, who want to support the hospice whilst raising awareness of the services available. It is a great way to meet the hospice staff too, they all work so hard behind the scenes, and are so positive and enthusiastic that it makes the experience of volunteering even more enjoyable.

I have gained so many skills through volunteering. I’ve gained professional skills, such as money handling, communication skills, and giving me a sense of responsibility. But also, volunteering has taught me to be driven and hardworking, because there are so many people working behind the scenes in order to provide the best possible care for patients and their families, and their passion and drive to make a difference has really inspired me to work hard and succeed in whatever I am doing.

I've met other friendly volunteers and staff, and it's been one of the most rewarding parts of the experience. At events I'd chat with others while helping set up, getting to know each other better. Meeting those who are equally passionate about making a difference has not only made the experience more fun but also kept me motivated. I'm so glad I pushed myself to open up and connect with the community of volunteers and staff here.

If you’re thinking about volunteering, I’d say just do it! You will make so many memories and will gain so many skills, that will help you grow as a person. Volunteering is so flexible and fits around whatever you are doing. It’s an amazing feeling to know that by just taking a few hours out of your day, you have impacted the community and helped the hospice so much.”

Thank you Alice for your incredible support to our Fundraising team!