Celebrating the work of Willen Hospice volunteers

Posted 1st June 2020

Willen Hospice is marking national Volunteers’ Week from 1-7 June, by celebrating and highlighting the significant contribution made by its volunteers throughout the year.

The Hospice relies on volunteers to help in all areas of its operations. This week the charity’s website and social media pages will feature volunteers speaking about the roles they fulfil and why they enjoy giving up their time to support Willen Hospice.

Clare Reeve, Director of People Services at Willen Hospice said “In the past year volunteers worked over 57,000 hours within our In-Patient Unit, administration, gardening, retail or supporting families pre and post bereavement.

“Using the National Minimum Wage of £8.72 per hour as a benchmark, this equates to over half a million pounds in saved salaries. In reality, it will be far higher as many of our volunteers fulfil roles that attract far more than minimum wage. In addition, our community volunteers contribute countless hours to support our teams at fairs and community events.”

Willen Hospice needs to raise £4.7M from the community every year; or a staggering £9 a minute, to be able to provide specialist end-of-life care to local people and support to their families. The Community team play a critical role in raising this money, but can only do it with the support of volunteers who give up their valuable time.

Staff from local companies make up a large proportion of the volunteers too, helping to sort donations at our distribution centre, or working at large fundraising events like the MK Midnight Moo and the Hospice Christmas Tree Recycling initiative – often using their own resources like vans and safety equipment.

The Hospice is also appealing to people who may be able to help them bring their retail operation back from closure. Mark Rawlins, Associate Director of Commercial said “Our retail shops will soon start emerging from the Covid-19 lockdown. If you have been furloughed and have a retail, logistics or warehouse background, are not in the at-risk categories, and are able to help with physical tasks, lifting and moving furniture and boxes, please think about whether you can support us for a few weeks to help the warehouse and shops to reopen safely.

Anyone who is interested is invited to complete a short registration form online at http://www.willen-hospice.org.uk/volunteer or email the team at volservices@willen-hospice.org.uk.