Treetops Hospice Care has presented 14 volunteers and four members of staff with long-service awards, whose contribution to the hospice adds up to an impressive 340 years.
Certificates and long-service pins were presented earlier this week at Treetops, based in Risley. Treetops provides nursing care and emotional support for adults with life limiting conditions living in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.
Of those receiving awards, nine people have volunteered or worked at the hospice for 15 years, five people for 20 years, three people for 25 years and one volunteer for 30 years.
Their roles have included assisting in the Treetops charity shops, helping in the hospice kitchen, providing admin support, nursing through the Hospice at Home service and providing counselling and emotional support.
The Mayor of Erewash, Counsellor Chris Corbett presented the awards and said:
“We’ve always supported the charity and to have over 650 volunteers here just goes to show that people of the area have taken Treetops to heart and how much we value the hospice. It’s a wonderful facility and we’re so proud and honoured to have it in Erewash – long may it continue.”
Amongst those receiving an award was Zella Ferguson, 61yrs, from Ockbrook who has volunteered for the hospice for 20 years. Zella currently volunteers as a bereavement support worker for the hospice:
“I see people on a weekly basis either here at Treetops or in their own homes. I also counsel people who’ve been diagnosed with life limiting illnesses, or their carer.
“You can get someone who is disabled by their grief and lose confidence when their partner, husband or wife, or even their parent, dies. Every single person is different and handles their grief differently. It’s a privilege to be able to sit with someone and walk alongside them on their journey.
“It’s a great service and Treetops can offer support for an individual or a family, right from diagnosis through to death and afterwards. I really enjoy it and I get a lot of out of it. The support you get as a volunteer is second to none. It’s a really good organisation to be part of.”
Imogen Hopkins, volunteer services coordinator, explained that the hospice wouldn’t be the same without the volunteers:
“Treetops really has grown out of the love of volunteers. It’s such an amazing opportunity to be able to recognise these fantastic lengths of service tonight and to really thank these individuals for everything they have done for the organisation over the years.
“Volunteering for Treetops is something that anyone can do, however much or little time you have to give. We would be delighted to hear from anyone who would like to join the charity in a voluntary capacity at this extremely exciting time.”
For more information about the long service awards and a full list of award recipients please visit the Treetops Hospice Care website.
Leave a Reply