All hands to the pump for move to new centre (From Bury Times)

All hands to the pump for move to new centre

12:41pm Thursday 14th February 2013 in News

BURY Hospice has made a rallying call for new volunteers as it prepares to move into its new £5 million state-of-the-art centre.

Services are being extended and more patients will be cared for at the new hospice in Rochdale Old Road, Bury, which opens next month.

So extra volunteers are needed in addition to the 400 people who already give their services.

Samantha Duncan, the hospice’s retail and volunteer services manager, said: “Volunteers are the lifeblood of the organisation. We couldn’t function without our volunteers. They bring a richness to the organisation and we have such a diverse group of people. They make the hospice what it is.

“As we are moving to the new hospice, we are creating new roles because of the need we haven’t had before.”

Volunteers can do all kinds of roles for the hospice, including working on reception, in the shops or warehouse, in fundraising and lottery, in the gardens and driving.

Additional volunteers will be needed at the new hospice, for example when the day hospice increases from three to seven days.

There will be new roles also, including patient assistants who will help on the inpatient ward and ward clerks to provide administrative support.

Volunteers are needed to run the hospice’s new eBay shop and to generate stock for the four charity shops across the borough.

And volunteer ambassadors are also being sought to collect cheques, give talks and represent the hospice in the community.

Mrs Duncan said: “Anyone over the age of 16 could volunteer. We provide training and we match people’s skills to the roles.”

To volunteer or find out more e-mail Mrs Duncan at samduncan@buryhospice.org.uk.

EXISTING volunteers will step up to new roles when the new Bury Hospice opens its doors.

Val Turner, aged 66, started volunteering at the hospice eight years ago on the reception and in the day hospice.

She is now training to become a patient assistant — a role created for the new hospice — and will make cups of tea for patients and their families, help staff and do other necessary tasks.

Mrs Turner, of Normandy Crescent, Radcliffe, said: “When I first came here for an interview I wanted to work with the patients. There was no role then on the wards, but because the new hospice will be bigger, it’s now available. I love being with the patients and making them laugh. It’s very rewarding.”

Ann Bennett, of Greenheys Crescent, Greenmount, is piloting a new role as a ward clerical assistant, doing admission packs for patients, paperwork for the nurses and answering telephone calls.

Mrs Bennett, aged 63, has also volunteered on reception and done other administrative work.

She said: “The nurses were doing the ward admin work before, but it was a waste of their talent. It’s great to be nearer the patients and closer to what the hospice is really about. My mum died here in the 90s and I always wanted to give something back.

“When I retired three years ago, I decided I would volunteer.”

Gail Henderson, of Townfield Close, Bury, started volunteering on the hospice’s reception since November and is looking forward to the move.

The 52-year-old said: “I’m a carer to my children, who have learning difficulties, and I wanted to do something in the time that I have spare. I do it two or three times a week. Everyone is so friendly and it’s nice that I can help.”