Volunteers help the Hospice function in many different ways. One of which is by bringing the gift of flowers to brighten our spaces. Shirley is a trained florist and has been volunteering at the Hospice since 2015.
"Hi, I'm Shirley and I've been volunteering at the Hospice for almost 10 years. I started off in the Hospice's Day Services, helping out with things like arts and crafts and flower arranging. I am actually a florist by trade and that's what I love doing, so now I focus solely on flowers at the Hospice.
"Myself and the other floristry volunteers make sure that there are always fresh flowers in patients' rooms. We wash the vases, clean the stems and arrange the flowers. It has to be a very hygienic process for our patients.
"If we have time, we also make and refresh displays for the sanctuary, the garden rooms, the reception area and the coffee room.
"Recently, I've been teaching flower arranging back in Day Services. Patients attend in small groups and I'll help them do things like arranging, making displays, cutting and planting.
"I chose to start volunteering at the Hospice after my sister passed away there in 2014. St Peter's had always been our family charity and we'd supported them loads over the years. But after receiving bereavement therapy following the death of my sister, I wanted to give back even more.
"The Hospice is a sanctuary and a safe place for so many. It's wonderful to see how keen people are to return after attending one of our sessions. I'll continue to volunteer here for as long as I can."
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To kick off Volunteers' Week our CEO, Susan, shares why volunteers are so vital to the Hospice.
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"I get a lot from knowing I'm helping people; some people would struggle to get to the Hospice without us and I know that I'm making a difference."
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"We thoroughly enjoy doing it. I would recommend it to anybody who's got the time or if a person is on their own, it's an opportunity for them to get out and meet people."
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