“I decided to volunteer for the hospice as I wanted to gain some experience, I’m not currently working and I have a lot of spare time so it seemed like a good idea. The atmosphere in the shop is so relaxed and friendly which has helped me to build my confidence as I’m quite a shy person,” she said.
“My manager, Ann, has taught me many new skills and helped me build on old ones. I think too many people assume that it is older people that volunteer but personally I think it’s brilliant for anyone, especially people around my age that are looking to get experience. I definitely suggest they look into volunteering for the hospice.”
Weston Hospicecare says volunteers are crucial to its operations, helping to save it £1.1 million in salaries every year. There are over 680 people who volunteer for the hospice.
The hospice is currently on the look out for new people to join its volunteer team, without whom the daily running of the charity would not be possible.
Maria Beaton, Volunteer and Training Advisor, said: “Our volunteers really do help the hospice to run efficiently and we’d be lost without them. We understand that people lead very busy lives these days and do not expect them to have a full day free to volunteer for us, however we do offer shifts with as little as 4 hours.”
For more information about volunteering opportunities at the Burnham shop and others in Somerset, click here.
