For Emma and Katie, working as Community and Partnership Fundraisers at our Hospice is more than just a job. It is something that feels deeply personal.
Emma joined the Hospice eight months ago, already understanding the impact of our care. Her previous employer supported the Hospice, and her mum was cared for here, giving her first-hand experience of the compassion shown to patients and families. Now part of the team, she says, “It’s great to see the support that we get from the local community and to be part of such a special place.”
Katie’s journey began during a corporate volunteering day while working at Barclays. After helping with jobs around the Hospice and being shown around, her perception of hospice care completely changed. “It truly impacted the way that I saw hospice care,” she explains. After volunteering at events such as the Santa Dash and Bubble Run, she often said it would be a dream job to work here. In February 2023, she joined us and has recently entered her third year.
Both Emma and Katie speak about the strong sense of community within the Hospice. Katie shares, “It might feel like it would be a sad place to work, but it really isn’t. We all work together to make sure it is a warm and inviting environment.”
As cliché as it sounds, everyone really is like one family and genuinely wants to be here to make a difference.
Working closely together is something they both value. They support each other through busy event seasons, share ideas, and step in wherever needed. Katie says she loves how everyone offers to help, even when they have their own priorities.
A standout moment for them both has been the Reindeer Run. Emma describes how volunteers counted packs for schools, colleagues from different departments helped with deliveries, and fundraisers delivered assemblies. The event raised over £44,000, showing the incredible support from teachers, families and students across our community.
For Katie, one particularly special memory was delivering assemblies at her own children’s schools. Seeing their surprised faces as she stood up to talk about the Hospice was a proud moment, and it opened up conversations about hospice care in a positive and reassuring way.
Together, Emma and Katie help build partnerships, strengthen community connections and turn local support into vital care for our patients and families.