The hospice provides specialist care and support across Essex for people of all ages living with incurable conditions and their families so they can get the most from life and continue to make every day count with the time they have together.

As a charity, Havens Hospices relies heavily on the help of volunteers. Last year alone, volunteers helped them save £824,000, meaning that money could be used to provide more care for the people who need it in the most difficult of times.

Volunteers support all aspects of Havens Hospices, from helping to provide hands-on care to their families and patients, supporting fundraisers and the charity’s shops, to helping to maintain their hospices through gardening and housekeeping.

Diane Burgess, 74, from Leigh-on-Sea, has volunteered for six years. She volunteers in the Fundraising Team one day a week at Fair Havens and helps out when she can with events such as the Southend Half Marathon and Race4Business in Chelmsford.

She says, “Volunteering makes me feel useful and has opened my eyes to what a hospice actually is. Like a lot of people, I was of the misunderstanding that a hospice is a sad place, but it’s not – it’s the total opposite.”

“I enjoy the atmosphere at the charity. It’s an amazing organisation to volunteer and be involved with – they do such great work. I’ve made great friendships with other volunteers and colleagues who work there – I have another group of friends I can meet with socially.”

“I get a buzz from coming in and volunteering. Everyone makes you feel so welcome and included – they are such a lovely group of people. Nothing is ever too much trouble.”

Whether potential volunteers can only spare a few hours or can volunteer for the hospice every week, there are a wide range of roles to choose from across the county. Current opportunities include housekeeping, gardening, fundraising and helping at one of their events or in one of their 27 charity shops.

Kim Hamber, Volunteer Experience Manager for Havens Hospices, says, “Volunteering is an ideal way to share your skills or learn new ones and is a great addition to your CV for education or employment applications.

“Not only is it diverse and rewarding, but by playing a role in your local community, volunteering can become a fulfilling part of your life and lead to new opportunities and friendships.

“Our volunteers come from all walks of life and ages and achieve extraordinary things. Wherever they are based and whatever their role is, every volunteer helps us continue to make every day count for the people we care for. We simply couldn’t do what we do without them.”

All of the care and support the charity provides is free of charge, raised largely from donations and items purchased in their shops. To provide their services, whether it is their hospices, Fair Havens for adults or Little Havens for children, in the comfort of people’s homes, or a combination, they must raise more than £124,000 each week to be there for everyone who needs them.

To apply for one of the volunteer vacancies and find out more about how to play a vital role in helping ‘Making every day count’ for the people the charity cares for, visit www.havenshospices.org.uk/volunteering.

Published on 31st January 2024