Volunteers encourage people to join them in helping Blythe House Hospice

Andrew Foreshew-Cain from Chapel-en-le-Frith became a community volunteer in 2018. Photo by Iain Klieve

Supporting hospice patients and their families could be the opportunity that you are looking for.

Blythe House Hospicecare, in partnership with Helen’s Trust, provides free services to patients across the High Peak and Derbyshire Dales who are affected by life-limiting illnesses including cancer, COPD, heart failure and neurological conditions like motor neurone disease.

The charities have a team of more than 250 dedicated volunteers from all walks of life, who collectively donate around 600 hours of their time each week.

Andrew Foreshew-Cain from Chapel-en-le-Frith became a community volunteer in 2018, providing practical support and companionship to hospice patients and their families, including during last year’s Covid-19 national lockdowns.

Andrew said: ‘Overall, people have been very kind and appreciative, even for the smallest things that take so little out of my day but make a big difference to the lives of the people I am seeing. It is rewarding – and humbling.”

Judy Gill started to volunteer at the Buxton charity shop on Eagle Parade around four years ago, after accessing support from the hospice following her partner, Jeff’s lung cancer diagnosis.

Judy, who is from Buxton, said: “I would encourage anyone who thinks they might like to find out more about becoming a Blythe House retail volunteer, to get in touch for an informal chat. The atmosphere here is easy going and relaxed – and I work with lovely people. I would recommend it to any prospective volunteers who want to give something back to their local community.”

The hospice has volunteering opportunities in four key areas: patient services at the hospice building in Chapel-en-le-Frith, and in patients’ homes across the High Peak, Dales and North East Derbyshire; retail; and fundraising. Full training, orientation and support is provided in all roles.

To find out more about volunteering at Blythe House and Helen’s Trust, visit the website: https://blythehousehospice.org.uk/volunteer-for-us/

You can also call: 01298 815388 or email: [email protected].