Princess Alice Hospice is incredibly fortunate to have the support of over 1,300 dedicated volunteers, which is approximately three times the number of paid staff they employ.
To celebrate 40 years of volunteering they’ve been sharing stories and content across their social media channels and have also launched a new weekly podcast series, ‘A conversation with’, which provides captivating insights into the Hospice’s history and allows some longstanding volunteers to share their unique and wonderful perspectives.
The most recent conversation in the series is with their Honorary President, Jane Formby MBE, who has volunteered at the Hospice for 40 years and counting. Jane talks about fundraising for the Hospice before it was built and how the organisation has changed over the years.
Jane says, “I look back and see my involvement as something incredibly rewarding. It’s hard to believe it has been 40 years – 40 years of laughter, fun, hard work and some heartbreak. 40 years of meeting a huge variety of interesting people, and most of all 40 years of gratitude for being associated with our wonderful Hospice.”
Listen out for episodes with the Princess Alice Hospice Volunteering Team, Gill and Eddy, the PAT dog, who bring comfort each week to patients on the In-Patient Unit; Jane Pettit, a volunteer for 39 years; Lynne Sinclaire, and volunteer-turned-senior healthcare assistant, Antonette Dakin. You won’t want to miss it.
This year, Volunteers’ Week in June will commemorate its 40-year anniversary, which coincides with the Hospice’s focus on 40 years of volunteering. Follow Princess Alice Hospice’s campaign throughout May and June.
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Princess Alice Hospice: For Excellence. For Compassion. For People. For Living.
Princess Alice Hospice has, for nearly 40 years, provided free, high-quality, specialist end of life care to tens of thousands of people across a large part of Surrey, south west London and Middlesex. Today, at any one time, Hospice nurses, doctors and other specialist staff are looking after more than 1000 people in need. The Hospice’s mission is to reach out to even more people by delivering outstanding care to those that need it. To enable us to do this, we must rely on the commitment and support of our communities who help us to raise vital funds.
£10 million is needed each year to provide our vital services. Core NHS funding represents circa 20% of our expenditure on charitable activities. Most of the balance is raised through legacies, fundraising, dedicated shop units, investments and the generous support of our communities. It is only the support of our community and beyond that makes it possible to do our work.
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