As Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice marks 10 years of its volunteer befriending service, long-serving volunteer Christine Roberts reflects on the friendships she’s built and the impact of giving her time.
“When I heard it had been ten years, I couldn’t believe it,” said Christine. “I thought, ‘gosh, has it been that long?’ Time flies when you’re having fun!”
Christine has been volunteering since day one. She spoke about her inspiration: “I saw an article in the local paper looking for befrienders and just said, ‘why not?’ My mum had Alzheimer’s, and my dad struggled with ill health. I wish someone could’ve visited them, but there wasn’t anything like that available. Now I can give other people that opportunity. And I know that if I was ever in that position, I’d appreciate a visit too.”
Christine’s befriending relationships have grown into something much more than visits. “I’ve been seeing one of my befriendees for seven years now. We go for coffee in a neighbouring village, and I’ve known her so long, I regard her as a friend. Her daughter and granddaughter live with her, and I’ve got to know them too. Her granddaughter always makes me cards for Mother’s Day – I feel like part of the family!”
Another befriendee, who had cancer, wanted to go out but wasn’t able to drive. Christine helped make that happen. “We’d go on day trips – to Kew Gardens and local garden centres. It gave her some much-needed fresh air and a new perspective on life. One day, I got a phone call from her daughter to say that she’d sadly died. I’m aware from the outset that people have a finite amount of time. I’m often invited to the funerals, which is a real privilege.”
Christine also volunteers at Sue Ryder’s Grief Kind Spaces, where people who’ve experienced loss come together to find comfort. “It sounds morbid, but there’s a lot of laughter at the table – and I’ve made new friends there too.”
Reflecting on ten years of befriending, Christine said: “It’s hard work at times, but so rewarding. It’s my ‘me time’. I get out of the house, make someone’s day a little better, and feel valued. I may be knocking on the door of 80, but I can still be useful!”
Natasha Saunders, Volunteer Team Manager at Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice, said: “Celebrating ten years of befriending at Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice is a fantastic milestone. Our volunteers make a real difference – offering companionship, comfort, and a friendly face when it’s needed most. The impact they have is invaluable.
“Volunteering with Sue Ryder isn’t just about befriending – we have a wide range of opportunities, from supporting healthcare teams to helping behind the scenes. If you’re looking to give back, meet new people, and be part of something truly rewarding, we’d love to hear from you.”
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About Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice:
At Sue Ryder, we can’t make life’s most difficult moments easy, but we can carry some of the load. For more than 70 years we have been a source of strength and support for anyone living with a life-limiting illness or grief.
Dying and grief are universal experiences, but too many people face them alone. Here at Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice located in Reading and from our bases in Theale and Newbury we provide a safe and reassuring hand for the people of West Berkshire to reach for.
From giving care and support for someone at the end of their life to helping someone manage their grief, we know there is no one size fits all when it comes to how we cope and the help we need. We campaign for everyone who is approaching the end of their life or grieving to have access to the right support, at the right time. And we seek to break down the barriers to talking about dying and grief – so we can all be better prepared and better equipped to be there for each other.
We can make a positive difference during even the darkest of times. Whether in the last months, weeks or days of life, or living with grief, we help people live the best life they possibly can. We are there when it matters.
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