High Peak hospice charity thanks community volunteers for going above and beyond during COVID-19 lockdown

Following the lockdown announcement in March, the Blyth House Hospicecare community volunteer team offered to help anyone across the local community, in addition to regular clients.

Since then, they have been helping with tasks including shopping, prescription collections, transport to medical appointments, telephone companionship, dog-walking and delivering personal protective equipment from local individuals and businesses to help the hospice’s staff.

Coordinator Jule Forrest said: “We were not quite sure what the community response would look like, but we could not be prouder of our fantastic team of volunteers and supporters.

“The team, which has grown from 22 members to almost 50 since March, has ensured that every single request for help has been filled.”

Colleague Vicci Wild said: “Our volunteers who have gone above and beyond.

“They have not just been filling requests for medication pickups, filling transportation needs, filling cupboards and pantries – they are filling hearts.”

She added: “Their simple gestures of kindness resonate across our community.”

The volunteer programme works year-round to support patients affected by life-limiting illnesses.

For details of hot to get involved, go to https://bit.ly/3fdc8sF.