Volunteers week
It’s Volunteers’ Week on 1-7th June and all week we’ll be celebrating our fantastic 1,300 volunteers who are an essential part of LOROS life.
In fact they are so vital for our charity to thrive and grow that we’re giving them all a special Thank You card – it’s plantable and contains wildflower seeds, which when buried and watered will grow into beautiful flowers.
John Knight, LOROS Hospice CEO said: “The last twelve months have probably been the toughest we have all faced. As a charity, there have been many challenges and without exception everyone rallied together to focus on stabilising the hospice. Our volunteers’ support was an essential part of that and enabled us to continue to provide care and support for patients, families and their loved ones.
“We want to say a huge thank you to all our volunteers for the difference they make. The card is a thank you but it’s also symbolic of the vital role our volunteers play in helping LOROS grow into the future.”
And don’t worry, the cards have been kindly supported by our friends at Willsow.
Volunteers are involved in almost every aspect of life at LOROS Hospice. From volunteer drivers who take house-bound patients into Day Therapy, to hairdressers who provide much needed pampering for patients on the Ward, to shop volunteers who sort, label and sell donations in LOROS’s 29 shops.
Pete Kerrigan has been volunteering with LOROS for 9 years, supporting patients and their families whenever he can.
Pete says: “When I retired I sat around watching day time TV for a while. Then I thought, there’s got to be more to retirement than this, and I came to volunteer at LOROS. It’s like a big family, the doctors, the nurses, domestic staff – everyone pulls together for the patients. It’s the best thing I’ve ever done.
“Not being able to volunteer because of COVID-19 was awful, I’m so glad to be back. Being able to spend time with the patients, comforting them or just playing a game or two, whatever they want, is a real privilege."
If Pete has inspired you to volunteer for us, find out more about Volunteering here
It’s Volunteering Week, and today we’re taking a look at the important role of our drivers, who open up our services to a whole lot of patients who wouldn’t otherwise be able to access them.
David Monk, 77, attends Day Therapy every two weeks. He’s driven by volunteer driver Alan Wilson.
“I drove myself in, to start with, but I didn’t feel safe. I have metastatic prostate cancer and I can drive but need to be careful as I get tired and I can’t concentrate well. I asked if I could get a lift and Alan came along. He comes and greets me and helps me get in the car. We have a good chat about the Foxes on the way. He’s a good chap and we get on really well.
“I love coming to Day Therapy, it’s really sociable and I talk to lots of people. It is quite tiring so it’s a real relief that I don’t have to think about how I’m getting home. When I drove myself it used to impact on my day, worrying about driving home. Now Alan drives me, I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
Alan Wilson, 73, has been a volunteer driver at LOROS for 5 years.
“I enjoy volunteering so much. It gives me a real satisfaction. It’s so important. Patients are often nervous so I try hard to put them at ease. With David, I knew we’d get on. We always have a laugh and a good chat. We have a lot in common. It’s important to talk –if you just sit there and drive, you may as well be a bus driver. For them I’m the face of LOROS.
“I get a lot of appreciation from patients and from LOROS. I guess my volunteering can have a big impact on patients. It’s only driving but actually it’s loads more than that. It’s the difference between being house-bound and being able to come here and enjoy themselves.”
We’re always looking for volunteer drivers, so if you can spare a few hours each week, we’d love to hear from you!
We can’t wait for the incredible Rocket Round Leicester 10-week art trail to lift off on 19th July.
As it’s Volunteers’ Week here’s how YOU can get involved in the event of the summer!
We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help us out in the following areas. Full training will be provided. All activity will be covid-safe and adhere to the latest government safety requirements.
Trail makers: these volunteers will provide information to the general public. They will walk the trail, sign post people to local landmarks, sell maps and guides.
Hub shop in the Highcross: Rocket Round Leicester will have a shop in the Highcross and we’re looking for volunteers to help sell merchandise, gifts and provide information on the trail.
Event volunteers: Come and help us run our summer event programme! From Twilight Walk to Tower Run, fundraising events are loads of fun! We’ll need help marshalling, checking tickets and lots of other jobs!
To find out more, please email EventVolunteers@loros.co.uk or call the fundraising team on 0116 231 8431.
Everyone knows that having your hair done makes you feel good. That’s why when volunteer hairdressers visit our patients on the Ward it cheers everyone up!
Mandy Riches, 53, from Coalville volunteers as a hairdresser at LOROS Hospice.
She trained as a hairdresser after leaving school and worked as a stylist for 15 years before teaching hairdressing at college. After having kids and working as a primary school teacher she gave up work for a while.
“It was a couple of my friends who had relatives being cared for in a hospice, who made me think of it first. They mentioned how much it meant to have your hair done when you’re bed bound. I remembered how much I loved hairdressing and I was looking for something that didn’t tie me to 9-5 job. I didn’t have any particular connection to LOROS but I saw an ad on the website and gave them a ring.
“I’ve been volunteering for 6 years now. I used to operate from a tiny cupboard off the Ward but now the Hospice has expanded there’s a proper salon space with sinks, which is great.
“I wash patients’ hair which feels really nice. Cut fringes, trim the ends. Patients feel they are themselves again. They love to chat to me as well, and they are so appreciative, so grateful. They just don’t expect it. And a salon is always private space for people to talk, whether they’re ill or not.
“Of course some patients are very frail, and I adapt what I can do to fit in with them. I keep checking in with them, keep asking them if they’re comfortable.
“LOROS is about so much more than people at end of life.
“I would whole heartedly recommend volunteering as a hairdresser here. Knowing you’re bringing a bit of pleasure to patients - I find it so rewarding.”
Helen Menna is a Healthcare Assistant on the LOROS Ward. She agrees that hairdressing has a massive impact on patients. “It just lifts people. They always feel better and it can make a big difference to their mood. It’s not just the ladies either, a lot of the gentlemen really appreciate it too. Sometimes I’ll walk around the Ward and ask if anyone would like their hair trimming and they all reply ‘oh yes’, and look really pleased at the thought of it.
“If the patients are well enough we take them down to the salon in Day Therapy. If not, we prop them up with towels and Mandy just snips round them.
“Once they’ve had their hair cut, all us nurses comment ‘oh your hair looks lovely’ and hopefully that makes them feel even better.”
If you have hairdressing skills and could spare a few hours to make our patients feel special, please get in touch, we’d love to hear from you!
