Could this be your moment to do something amazing and become an Isabel Hospice volunteer?
The Welwyn Garden City-based charity is gearing up to celebrate its 600 plus volunteers during the upcoming Volunteers Week.
Volunteers are at the heart of all that Isabel Hospice does, enabling the charity to continue actualising its vision of outstanding palliative care for all.
In fact, the equivalent of five full-time volunteers a year, listing donations for the Isabel Hospice eBay shop could fund 2,142 nursing hours.
Designed to recognise, celebrate and thank the UK’s dedicated volunteers, Volunteer Week runs from Monday, June 3 to Sunday, June 9.
It celebrates its 40th anniversary this year and throughout the week, Isabel Hospice will be holding a series of afternoon teas exclusively for its incredible volunteers.
The week culminates in The Big Help Out, from Friday, June 7 to Sunday, June 9, where people across the UK have the chance to experience a range of volunteer taster sessions.
Available on web browser and via a mobile app, the platform already advertises several Isabel Hospice micro-volunteering opportunities from mystery shopping, sustainable bunting making and social media post sharing.
Isabel Hospice CEO, Dr Helen Glenister, explained: “We couldn’t provide the level of care without the loyal support and dedication from our amazing volunteers.
"Our celebratory teas during Volunteer Week are a just a small token of appreciation for the incredible work they do and the positive impact they have on the lives of those we serve.
"Celebrating our volunteers should be all year round, not just a week. Their selfless commitment has been instrumental in helping us fulfil our mission, and we couldn't be more grateful.”
Isabel Hospice has recently released a report that quantifies the social value generated by its charity shops and the benefits to customers, staff, volunteers, and donors.
The report found charity shops play an important role in improving people’s lives and wellbeing. The highest social value per person came from volunteers, totalling £3,177 per person, linked to giving back to others and the planet.
In addition to being hugely rewarding, there are many benefits to volunteering, from learning new skills, or utilising existing skills, to gaining work experience and meeting new people.
There are mental health benefits too, with volunteering proven to boost dopamine levels, providing a sense of purpose and fulfilment and in turn, improving self-esteem.
Vanessa has worked as a volunteer in multiple areas of the charity. As a mum of teenagers, she decided it was time to branch out and embark on a new and exciting life experience.
Vanessa said: “I came to Isabel Hospice lacking confidence, and not sure what I wanted to do next. Since becoming a volunteer, I have gained more of a 'sense of self' and discovered that I love meeting people and helping others.
"Volunteering has enabled me to develop a valuable set of skills and provided great work experience, all whilst having fun and feeling supported by a team who really care about me and the local community.”
There's a wide range of opportunities on offer across the organisation, including shop and eBay volunteers, event assistants, sorting donations (especially for books, vinyl records and art), gardeners to help maintain the outdoor spaces at the In-Patient Unit, hospitality volunteers to support the clinical and catering teams and even becoming a Compassionate Neighbour, providing support to those going through bereavement.
For more information, email the Isabel Hospice team volunteer.office@isabelhospice.org.uk.
Further details and an application form are also available at www.isabelhospice.org.uk/volunteer.
Roles are available every day, across multiple sites in eastern Hertfordshire.
People from all walks of life are welcome and no previous experience is necessary as training is provided.
Designed for prospective volunteers to explore their options and match skills and experience to the opportunities available, Isabel Hospice will also be holding their next volunteer information drop-in session on Saturday, August 3 at 11.30am at Living Well Community Hub, Hall Grove, Welwyn Garden City, AL7 4PH.
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