‘Work was my life. I just couldn’t settle to retirement and I felt I needed something. Working at the Hospice makes me feel happy. It gives me something to look forward to, something to get changed and make an effort for. It gives a real boost to my life.’ Pat Swinbourne - Receptionist and ‘Trolley Dolly’.

‘I had no experience of hospices before I applied to be a volunteer. I wasn’t sure what, if any, of the skills and experience that I had would be useful. I soon discovered that volunteers are quickly made welcome and readily absorbed into the hospice ‘family’. I enjoy being here immensely and have made several new friends among the two hundred plus volunteers. Staff are always ready with a ‘thank you’. Coming here is always a pleasure.’ Maureen Ricardo – Receptionist.

‘I wanted to do something positive with my life after I retired, and remembered my dear friend’s father going into Dr Kershaw’s Hospice, and the enjoyment he got from the weekly visits, saying the volunteers were fabulous. After thinking about what could I do and how could I help, I phoned the Volunteer Coordinator – and that was it. HOOKED. What do I get out of this? Well apart from friendship, fun and camaraderie, it’s extremely rewarding and, at times, humbling.’ William Collins – Volunteer Driver

‘I couldn’t have found a more satisfying way of spending the free time I acquired on retirement, than working in the friendly environment of the Hospice.’ Margaret Kenway – Friends Database Assistant.

'I look forward to my day at the Hospice. It's such a happy friendly place. The patients are so inspirational. No doom and gloom as people might think.' Jean Adams - Complementary Therapist.

‘We feel proud to be volunteers at Dr Kershaw’s and love working as part of such a warm friendly team . It gives you a chance to give something back and the staff and other volunteers are such a happy caring bunch of people; nothing is too much trouble’. Monica Thomas and Linda Bradbury – Receptionists.

Having had treatment myself I can relate to the patients and understand their concerns. I find that sharing experiences helps me too. Audrey Valentine – Day Hospice Helper.

'I chose to volunteer for Dr Kershaw’s because it gives so much to the community and I wanted to do my bit. Shop manager, Alison, is good to work for and the shops are very friendly places and I enjoy my two working sessions immensely.' Joan Able - Volunteer at the Shaw Hospice Shop.