Volunteering Archives - St Ann's Hospice

Local synagogue helps St Ann’s Hospice with Mitzvah Day volunteering

November 29, 2024 | 5:00pm

A team of volunteers from Bowdon Synagogue in Altrincham spent the afternoon volunteering for St Ann’s Hospice as part of Mitzvah Day.

Mitzvah Day is the UK’s largest faith-led day of social action. It is a Jewish led day focusing on bringing people of all faiths and backgrounds to volunteer side-by-side, building longstanding, genuine relationships.

The volunteers from Bowdon Synagogue spent their time at St Ann’s helping us with the gardening, cutting briars, trimming hedges, raking and collecting leaves which have fallen over autumn. They also helped us with preparations for the upcoming Great Mancunian Ball and were given a tour of the hospice by Chief Executive, Rachel McMillan and Head of Fundraising, Anne-Marie Wynne.

Sam Bernstein from Bowdon Synagogue said the group chose to help two charities for Mitzvah Day this year, St Ann’s Hospice, and the Wellspring, a homeless facility in Stockport.

Sam says she has known of St Ann’s for years as she always drove past the Heald Green hospice when dropping her children to school.

“I also had a friend who was treated here. She came here two days before she died. I saw first-hand what an amazing place it is. I had always heard of it but had never actually seen it until then, and I thought that this would be the perfect opportunity to let other people see the work that goes on here,” Sam said.

Community Fundraiser for St Ann’s Hospice, Greg Kelly thanked Bowdon Synagogue for their volunteering efforts.

As St Ann’s is a registered charity, we rely on the community for their help in so many areas. Our gardens at our Heald Green site have become overrun with leaves from autumn so Bowdon Synagogue volunteering their time to help clear paths, cut back hedges, and trimming briars helps us out a great deal. It was also a brilliant way for us to learn more about Mitzvah Day and how it encourages social action

Greg Kelly, Community Fundraiser for St Ann’s Hospice

Sam says Mitzvah Day as a concept has been going for nearly 20 years now.

“Mitzvah is a Jewish word, and it means ‘good deed’. It’s not about Jewish people helping the Jewish community, it’s about Jewish people working together with other communities and helping each other,” Sam said.

“Leading up to Mitzvah Day, I always look at other people in the wider community who might need help, hence us working with St Ann’s and the Wellspring.

“Mitzvah Day is not about fundraising, as we do that throughout the year. This is about getting people to do some good. It opens people’s eyes to the amount of people around them that are benefitting or can benefit from support and it brings us together,” she added.

Mitzvah Day officially took place on Sunday, November 24.

St Ann’s Hospice celebrates Volunteers’ Week

June 5, 2024 | 5:15pm

This Volunteers’ Week we want to shine a light on some of the brilliant volunteers that dedicate time to helping St Ann’s Hospice, and volunteer roles you could take up too.

Mark is a Volunteer Online Sales Assistant based at our Distribution Centre in Reddish.

Mark says: “I was fortunate to be able to retire early at 56 years old, but I wanted to do something that could keep me active. I also wanted to give something back to the community in some way.

“You definitely need to come into volunteering with the right end goal, which is seeing what you can do for the hospice. There is so much camaraderie and teamwork, the Distribution Centre is a great and chilled place to volunteer.

I would definitely recommend volunteering to people, particularly for St Ann’s Hospice, where there are so many roles available, you are sure to find a role which suits you.

Mark, Online Sales Volunteer

St Ann’s Trading Company have many volunteer vacancies open to people who want to support their local hospice. These include distribution centre volunteers, online volunteers, Stockport shop volunteers, and Sale shop volunteers.

Harsha has been volunteering in St Ann’s Hospice’s Fundraising Team for the last two years.

Being in the fundraising office, hearing and seeing first-hand the incredible work the team do, their sheer commitment and joy rubbed off on me. I joined the Autumn Fair committee last year and we had a great time organising the event.

Harsha, Fundraising Volunteer

Harsha is also on the Summer Fair committee for this year and she loves being part of it.

The Community Fundraising Team at St Ann’s Hospice are looking for volunteers too, including people that can help with collection tins and those wanting to be in a new fundraising committee that will be set up in Sale and Altrincham.

Margaret has been a volunteer since 2006. She was inspired to volunteer at St Ann’s after the care shown to her father by the hospice, experiencing the kindness and care shown to him and all his family.

Each year she has worked tirelessly on our Light up a Life appeal leading up to Christmas, helping to create the Book of Honour with over 1,000 dedications. Last month, she was Highly Commended in the Long Service Award at the Stockport Rocks! Volunteer Awards.

Our Clinical Team are also looking for a volunteer driver for The Being You Centre. The purpose of this volunteering role is to transport patients who have no alternative means of transport to and from The Being You Centre. The hours for this role vary between 9am-4pm on Monday to Friday.

Retired physiotherapist and post-graduate educator Jenny Caunt started volunteering at St Ann’s in May 2022.

It keeps my brain working, I get a real sense of satisfaction and feel like I am contributing to St Ann’s. What’s so nice about St Ann’s is they are looking for volunteers to use their skills and for projects that benefit the volunteer as well as the hospice. It’s really nice to carry on with something worthwhile.

Jenny Caunt, Volunteer

For more information on how you can start volunteering at St Ann’s Hospice and make a difference in your community, click here.

Celebrating International Volunteers Day with Beth

December 5, 2023 | 2:50pm

I start work at 10am and it’s always lovely to be welcomed so warmly by Esme, the Shop Manager, and Duck, (David), who also works Wednesdays.

Jackie is also often in on a Wednesday and it’s so nice to see familiar faces.

When your life revolves around being at home with your kids, it gives an extra sense of belonging. It’s not a stuffy, serious vibe at work, it’s very much a friendship feel, with good banter and a chance to get to know each other.

This means the team can feel like your support system, when you’re waffling about the trials and tribulations of life, or parenting! It also extends your friendship circle when you bump into them whilst out!

One of my main duties now includes working on Facebook. I check with Esme which section she wants me to concentrate on that day, e.g. Ladies, Men’s, Kids, Christmas etc, and I take lots of pictures of things that I think will sell well. I then upload them to the St Ann’s Romiley Facebook page, along with details of all the ways people can get in touch with us and details of any special offers on that day.

Once uploaded, I then share the post to many different Facebook groups around the Stockport area. Once that’s done, I reply to any messages that come through, checking the size of an item, or price, or asking us to hold an item for up to 48 hours.

As well as Facebook duties, I also work on the till., putting purchases through or printing out labels for donations received. I also encourage customers to sign up to Gift Aid.

When customers come into the shop with bags of donations, I take them through to the back so that they can be sorted. I’m a very social, outgoing person, so I love interacting with the customers and will always greet them as they enter and leave the shop.

I’m more than happy to chat with them if they look like they’d appreciate that!

I love knowing that whilst I get a lot out of volunteering, it’s also for a bigger cause and a bigger picture.

Beth Crowcroft, Volunteer Shop Assistant

I finish work at 12pm, having packed lots into the two hours I’m there. Over the course of the five years I’ve been at Romiley St Ann’s shop, the amount of time spent volunteering weekly has varied. I initially did one morning a week and then built it up to two mornings a week.

Due to home circumstances, I then needed to go back down to one morning a week. I love the flexibility that comes with volunteering here.

Here’s to many more years volunteering at Romiley St Ann’s shop, as it really is such a welcoming, friendly place!

Celebrating our staff and volunteers

September 28, 2023 | 11:57am

Our annual celebration event is an opportunity to recognise the hard work and commitment of our teams, and to celebrate the milestones of long-service staff and volunteers.

This year we were delighted that the event could take place in person, for the first time since the pandemic, at our Little Hulton hospice.

As well as celebrating the dedication of our long-serving staff and volunteers, we announced the exceptional winners of this year’s Chair awards yesterday. Jackie Oldham and Rachel McMillan co-hosted the event.

I’m really excited that it’s the first time in three years we’re been able to do this face to face. This is a true celebration of everything our staff and volunteers do, and it makes me so proud to be part of that team. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

We’ve been here 52 for years, and it’s important to celebrate our history. I look back and think about the people who made St Ann’s happen, like our founder Dr Moya Cole. I’m thankful for our pioneers, all of the people in this room and all of our all colleagues – we can set the direction for the future and help St Ann’s to thrive for another 52 years.

Rachel McMillan, Chief Executive

It’s humbling to see everyone here today and hear about the fantastic contributions to the hospice. I’m here on behalf of the Board of Trustees. It was extremely difficult to decide who the awards should go to; the contributions throughout have been phenomenal. On behalf of board, we want to thank you all for your major contribution to the hospice; we couldn’t do it without you. By working together, we achieve really great things.

Jackie Oldham, Chair of the Board of Trustees

And the winners are…

Jackie Oldham, Chair of the Board of Trustees, awarded the following staff members and teams with the Chair Awards for their amazing achievements and exemplifying the Values of St Ann’s Hospice in their work every day.

People matter

This award recognises an individual who consistently puts people at the centre of everything they do. They treat everyone with kindness and compassion, they value and celebrate diversity; recognising everyone as an individual.

Lisa Wong, Lymphoedema Assistant Practitioner

Deborah Connolly, Housekeeping (Heald Green)

Lead and learn

This award recognises someone who is always learning to inform and shape the hospice or hospice sector. This might be through education, training or research. They lead by example, share best practice, making advances and pioneering new approaches.

Rebecca Sarbutts, Data Protection Officer and Data Systems Manager

Dr Lesley Henson and Kath Lamb – Quality Improvement project

Bold and brave

The winner of this award recognises the need to grow for the future, not settle. They’re not afraid to do things differently, get creative, challenge themselves and the status quo. They’re ambitious in their aims, accountable for their actions and learn from their experiences and successes.

Gayle Shaw, Corporate Fundraiser

Together we are stronger

This award is for an individual or collection of individuals who work collaboratively with supporters, partners or the community. They have a bigger impact working together than they could do alone. They think beyond traditional boundaries to make sure we’re here for our communities in years to come.

The Trading Company – Events organisation

Inpatient Unit Ward Sisters Lynsey Ayers, Hayley Beswick, Jen Andrusjak, Suzy Vale and Nic Erhardt

Volunteer Special Recognition Award

This award recognises and celebrates the outstanding contribution volunteers make to the hospice. Every day volunteers help us achieve our purpose of providing excellent care. This award is one of the ways we recognise volunteers who go above and beyond to create even better services.

Jenny Caunt, volunteer in the Practice Development Centre

Long service awards – Staff

30 years

Diane Smallman, Little Hulton Inpatient Unit

20 years

Lesley Jackson, Clinical Services Administration (HG)

10 years

Joanne Laidlaw, Hospice at Home
Donna Riva Burdaky, LH Housekeeping
Rachel Billson, Clinical Specialist Palliative Care Team
Gill Turnpenney , Executive Office

Long service awards – Volunteers

40 years

Ann Farthing

35 years

Gill Lyon and Fran Nelson

25 years

Margaret Tait

20 years

Marion Ball, Christine Da Forno and Anne McFarlane

15 years

Alan Bowker, Sylvia Grant, Anne Hannah, Ian Hayes, Beryl Hilton, Sandra Kirk, Pamela Lilker, Barbara Mellish, Rebekah Mottershead, Nicola Norris, Catherine Stephenson, Sue Sutton

10 years

Gail Abedi, Christine Barlow, Alison Bettles, Clive Douglas Bettles, Susan Conlon, Ann Cox, Janet Ellis, Jill Fitzgerald, Breda Johnson, Lorraine Livesey, Steve Lloyd, Patricia Anne Lockey, Joe Madden, Nuala McNorton, Jackie Rogers, Pat Rudge, Peter Charles Sant, Ruth Satinoff, Jennifer Vaughan, Gwyneth Viney, Mike Viney, Gaynor Whiteside, Valerie Wilson, Pamela Wolstenholme

5 years

Frances Ansell, Judith Anthony, Jennifer Armshaw, Mariam Azhar, Lynne Barratt, Maria Bartley, Paul Bate, Lucy Blackburn, Jean Coles, Mary Connery, Beth Crowcroft, Ryan Darcy, Catherine Davies, Lea Anne Done-Jackson, Nicola Done-Orrell, Donna Eastwood, Brenda Entwistle, Yvonne Fitzgerald, Marjorie Fletcher, Peter Frank, Robert Gregg, Tina Hamby, Joan Hargreaves, Joyce Lynda Lawrence, Shelagh Lochery, Jeffrey Longson, John Moss, Pamela Mottershead, Barbara Murray, Jamie Murray, Melanie Oliver, Elaine Pratt, Caroline Pressman, Christine Reed, Eileen Richards, Gwyneth Roper, Jeanette Sayle, Marilyn Snell, Susan Margaret Thomas, Chloe Tsang, Frances Walker, Irene Wilczynska

Our Autumn Fair will raise money for the new hospice

September 22, 2023 | 4:40pm

We are hosting an Autumn Fair on Saturday 30^th September to raise money for our Build It Together campaign.

Bring along your friends and family to St Ann’s Hospice’s Heald Green site between 12-3pm for all the fun of the fair!

Organised by our volunteer committee on behalf of St Ann’s, the Autumn Fair is helping to raise vital funds towards our Build It Together new hospice appeal.

We’ve all laughed so much on the committee as the weeks have gone by and made a great team. Everyone has been so accommodating and each person seems to have certain things they bring to the table.

Lisa Cartlitch, Volunteer Treasurer

The fair will be a family fun afternoon with stalls, plants, refreshments and licensed bar, games and bouncy castle and fire brigade.

Tracey Yarwood is the Secretary of the committee and has been volunteering for six years at the hospice.

I’ve really enjoyed helping at the previous summer and Christmas fairs, so I was excited to be working with the other volunteers on this fair. I enjoy being part of a team on the committee that’s going to raise money to help the hospice’s new build. We hope this fair will be a great success and we can start planning our next one!

Tracey Yarwood, Volunteer Secretary

Another volunteer on the committee, Dushyant Mehta, speaks highly of St Ann’s, which is a charity close to his heart.

I have been a volunteer for St Ann’s Hospice for more than 12 years. The connection I have with the hospice grew much stronger since the last two years when my wife was at Heald Green for end-of-life care. Over that period, I found along with my family that the care and support of the staff was extraordinary, they have treated my family and myself as one family which I’ll never forget and continue to do so even now. I enjoy being on the committee as everyone is like-minded who are focussed on the project ahead of them. I’m glad I am able to give back and help St Ann’s Hospice raise as much money as they can for the welfare and care of all its patients.

Dushyant Mehta, Committee Volunteer

Entry to the Autumn Fair is free, so bring as many of your friends and family along to see what’s on offer!

Volunteers’ Week 2023

June 7, 2023 | 9:10pm

Volunteers’ Week runs 1st-7th June, and this annual celebration is a chance to recognise the fantastic contribution volunteers make to our communities.

St Ann’s Hospice would like to take this opportunity to thank our amazing volunteers who support us in so many ways. We simply could not continue to provide our care without their help and we are extremely grateful to each and every one of them for their support.

We’re shining a spotlight on just a few of our team of incredible volunteers to celebrate them this Volunteers’ Week.

My favourite thing about volunteering is seeing the variety of items people donate – it’s really interesting. I would recommend volunteering at St Ann’s to anyone, and I have done! My husband is going to start at the shop as well.

Sheena, Volunteer, Distribution Centre

At the time I signed up I was suffering from chronic fatigue and needed purpose. I wanted to give something back to the community.

Tracey, Volunteer, Distribution Centre

Read Sheena & Tracey’s story here.

I volunteer to help the hospice and also increase my knowledge and learn about eBay, so it’s two-fold. I would really recommend volunteering to meet people. It’s better than staying in! Plus you get the knowledge and new skills – you might become an eBay millionaire through learning at St Ann’s!

Jeff, Volunteer, Online Sales Team

Read Jeff’s story here.

Early retirement has given me the time and opportunity to volunteer, including supporting the Fundraising Team in their ongoing Build It Together campaign, as well as being a volunteer driver for the Being You Centre. I hope that supportive role can further evolve as building works for the new hospice begin, allowing me to share in the St Ann’s journey at this most exciting time.

Graham, Volunteer

Read Graham’s story here.

I needed to do something moving forward and decided to give back to St Ann’s after they cared for my mum. I’d never worked in a shop before, but I like meeting people, talking to them and having a joke with them. I get on with the team and get a real reward out of doing it.

Ian, Volunteer, Sale shop

Could you volunteer at St Ann’s?

You’ll be challenged, inspired, and empowered to help us achieve our purpose and to play your part in making a difference.

We’re currently looking for volunteers across the organisation in our shops, Online Sales Team, Fundraising Team and in our hospices. Find out more here.

Volunteering at St Ann’s

Find out more information about all of our current volunteering opportunities.

Find out more

Get a taste of volunteering at St Ann’s Hospice shops

May 30, 2023 | 6:11pm

As part of The Big Help Out, a national initiative to raise awareness of and provide opportunities for volunteering, St Ann’s Hospice is offering volunteer taster sessions for anyone interested in finding out more about volunteering at our charity shops.

The taster sessions will take place every Thursday until 8^th June across six of our charity shops in Heald Green, Stockport, Edgeley, Sale, Altrincham and Little Hulton. All the sessions are two hours, either from 10am-12pm or 2-4pm.

This is a great opportunity to meet new people and learn new skills, all whilst doing your bit to support St Ann’s Hospice.

We are really pleased to be part of The Big Help Out and offer taster sessions for volunteers in our St Ann’s Hospice charity shops. Our shops raise thousands of pounds for St Ann’s Hospice every year and we couldn’t continue to do this without the work and commitment of our shop volunteers. Volunteering in our shops is a great way to meet new people and learn new skills, while making a valuable contribution to St Ann’s. The volunteer taster sessions provide an opportunity for anyone curious about volunteering to meet the shop teams and find out more about how our volunteers help, from sorting donated items and preparing them for sale to creating exciting window displays.

Trudi Ogden, Co-Head of Trading, St Ann’s Hospice

Ian Stewart, a volunteer at the St Ann’s Hospice shop in Sale, has been volunteering for six years since he retired in 2017.

I needed to do something moving forward and decided to give back to St Ann’s after they cared for my mum. I’d never worked in a shop before, but I like meeting people, talking to them and having a joke with them. I get on with the team and get a real reward out of doing it.

Ian Stewart, Volunteer, St Ann’s Hospice

Volunteers have been joining the taster sessions since The Big Help Out was launched on 8^th May as part of the Coronation weekend. The Big Help Out estimate that 6,510,000 million people participated in 55,123 events across the country, and hope that it will encourage further volunteer participation in local communities.

There are opportunities to become a permanent volunteer if you enjoy your taster session, with St Ann’s Hospice always looking for people to join our friendly teams across Greater Manchester.

To book a session or find out more details, you can download The Big Help Out app via the App Store, or alternatively visit the website at app.thebighelpout.com.

Celebrating Volunteers’ Week 2022

May 31, 2022 | 3:55pm

So many people across Greater Manchester selflessly give their time to help others. I’m proud to be part of a community – and city – that has so many individuals who are passionate about making a difference.

This week, as the UK marks Volunteers’ Week (1 – 7 June), I’d like to thank and celebrate the hundreds of volunteers who support St Ann’s Hospice.

We have more than 600 volunteers who share their expertise, time and skills, supporting us in so many different ways.

From our hospice shops and fundraising events and activities, to running our cafés and supporting clinical staff on our wards, we’ve benefitted from the generosity of volunteers for so many years.

They give many thousands of hours between them each year, and some have been volunteering for an incredible 50 years or more. We simply couldn’t carry on providing our specialist palliative and end of life care without their support.

We’re hugely grateful and I’d like to say a big thank you to each and every one of them. I’d also like to thank all of the other people across our fantastic city who selflessly volunteer their time to help others too.

You’re all amazing. Thank you.

Theme: Volunteering