St Richard’s Hospice thanked the 918 volunteers who help them deliver their services as part of this year’s Volunteers’ Week. Volunteers’ Week ran from 1 to 7 June and was an opportunity for St Richard’s Hospice to shine a spotlight on the all the ways that their volunteers support the charity.
Mike Wilkerson, Chief Executive of St Richard’s, said: “Our volunteers collectively gave 110,708 hours of their time in 2025 and enabled us to run our warehouse and 20 charity shops across the county.
“They also helped us to offer additional care and support to patients and their families, both here at the hospice and in people’s homes.
“I can’t thank them enough for giving their time to help us provide free, compassionate care to the people who need us.”
The hospice is put on special events to thank their volunteers for their skill and dedication. Anyone who would like to find out more about volunteering for St Richard’s can visit www.strichards.org.uk/volunteering.
Ahead of Volunteer’s Week, some of the hospice’s volunteers shared their experiences of volunteering for St Richard’s.
Karen Farrand said: “A few years ago, I felt like the time was right to give something back, and I started volunteering with the hospitality team on the In-Patient Unit.
“Little things can make a big difference – making someone a cup of tea, sitting down and having a chat with them. I can offer a calm presence, practical help and emotional support.
“I try to do everything I can to make them comfortable and to provide them with a feeling of normality.
“It’s so rewarding and I feel like I’m making a difference. I feel included and part of a bigger team, and I always leave feeling happy.”
Rachel Lownds is a Family Support Volunteer in the community and said: “I retired last year after 40 years as a nurse and more than 30 years in A&E in Worcester.
“Being an A&E nurse means you form relationships quickly and attempt to put people at ease. Those are skills that I try to transfer to this volunteer role.
“The clients I work with could be patients or family members, either before or after a bereavement.
“In my role, I can be there to listen to them talk about anything – it’s completely led by them.”
Steve Morris is a Facilities Volunteer and said: “I could be in the hospice, the shops or the warehouse doing absolutely anything from fitting new bathrooms to painting.
“This is a fab cause, and the people here are really special. Even if you’re lucky enough not to need this facility, many people do.
“I couldn’t do what the nurses do, but I can contribute the skills I have.”
Lesley Dyke volunteers at the hospice’s specialist bridal department in Mealcheapen Street, Worcester, and said: “I decided to volunteer because I wanted to give something back and to do something I love. I love being part of a special time in our customers’ lives and hearing about their wedding plans.
“It really gives me joy and I look forward to doing it. If you enjoy it, it helps you offer great customer service.
“I get more out of volunteering than I did from paid work. It’s more fulfilling.”
Trisha Carrey has been a volunteer hairdresser at St Richard’s for over 20 years and said: “Getting their hair done can bring back memories for people. It just improves everything and helps them feel like themselves again.
“It’s such a nice feeling to help people. It’s like seeing the sun shine on their face.”
John Carrey is a Pets as Therapy volunteer, along with Cockerpoo Luna, and said: “I always get a great feeling of satisfaction after a few minutes of interaction between patients, staff and Luna. They clearly enjoy stroking and petting her, which they say brings back fond memories of their own pets that they have had to leave at home.
“It’s great to play a small part in a well-known organisation that brings relief to so many people going through difficult times in their lives.”
St Richard’s Hospice is an independent charity offering free, expert care for adults with an illness that cannot be cured, and support for their loved ones and carers.
Each year the hospice team supports more than 3,000 patients, family members and bereaved people in Worcestershire.
It will cost in the region of £12m to run the hospice this year, which includes patient care and all the necessary support services.
St Richard’s relies on voluntary support, including from donations, gifts in Wills, retail and events for the majority of its income with the remainder funded by the NHS.
For more information about St Richard’s Hospice visit www.strichards.org.uk
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More information about St Richard’s Hospice
Who does St Richard’s Hospice care for?
St Richard’s cares for people with an illness that cannot be cured, who have complex needs which cannot be met by other services. These include cancer, and neurological, respiratory, cardiac and renal conditions.
All its services are available to people registered with a South Worcestershire GP. The St Richard’s In-patient Unit cares for people across Worcestershire.
St Richard’s cares for people by:
- Supporting people, their loved ones and carers, to manage their illness and remain independent for as long as possible, giving emotional, social, practical and spiritual support
- Providing dedicated, individualised palliative and end of life support helping people to control their pain and other symptoms of concern
- Offering support to enable a person to live well through the course of their illness alongside other therapies that are intended to prolong life
- Supporting our patients, loved ones and carers before and through bereavement
- Working in collaboration with our communities to ensure we are inclusive, respect diversity and provide equitable access to meet the needs of our patients, their loved ones and carers
- Working in partnership with other health care providers and organisations
- Encouraging wider understanding that death and dying is a part of life
- Supporting the local community to be well informed about the care available to them
- Supporting the health and social care workforce through learning and development to provide high-quality, individualised palliative and end of life care
Where St Richard’s cares
St Richard’s offers free care and support for people in the hospice, in the community, in GP surgeries, by telephone or by digital options.
St Richard’s Hospice, Communications Team
Wildwood Drive, Worcester, WR5 2QT
01905 763963 www.strichards.org.uk
Facebook: @strichards Instagram: @strichardshospice
LinkedIn: St Richard’s Hospice
Registered charity no 515668 Registered company no 01850502
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