During Volunteers’ Week we took time to celebrate the incredible contribution our volunteers make every single day at Princess Alice Hospice.

Our volunteers come from all walks of life and bring a huge range of experience, skills and kindness to the Hospice. Some support people directly in the community, some help in our shops, and others give their time behind the scenes to strengthen the care and support we provide. Quite simply, we couldn’t do what we do without them.

To celebrate our volunteers, we held our annual Volunteers’ Party to recognise and say a huge thank you to the wonderful volunteers who support us. Approximately 75 volunteers attended the event, along with some of their four-legged friends. There was a little bit of sunshine, but plenty of tea, cake and smiles.

Nigel Seymour, Chief Executive, took the opportunity to thank all our volunteers for their dedication and commitment before presenting a number of long service awards. Among those recognised were three exceptional volunteers celebrating an incredible 40 years of volunteering.

Before retiring, Shelagh led a busy life as a Chartered Surveyor while raising her three children and making time for voluntary work. At Princess Alice Hospice, she first joined the flower team and later trained as a Compassionate Neighbour.

As Shelagh explains, volunteering has always been part of who she is, and in retirement it has continued to give her purpose and structure. Her story is a powerful reminder that volunteering can be just as rewarding for the person giving their time as for those receiving support.

You can read more about Shelagh’s experience here.

Joanna’s experience shows how volunteering can create connection and confidence. At our East Twickenham shop, she found much more than a role: she found community, belonging and an opportunity to grow.

From improving her English to feeling truly part of her local area, Joanna’s story highlights the many personal ways volunteering can enrich lives while supporting a vital local cause.

Joanna’s story is another example of how volunteering helps people build confidence, friendships and a stronger sense of community.

For Heather, the connection to Princess Alice Hospice is deeply personal. After the Hospice cared for her sister-in-law and later a close friend at home, she chose to stay connected by becoming a Compassionate Neighbour volunteer.

Heather’s story reflects the lasting relationships that can grow from hospice care and the many ways people choose to give back after seeing that support first-hand. Through roles like Compassionate Neighbours, volunteers help bring comfort, companionship and connection to people in their communities.

Volunteers also play an important role behind the scenes assisting Quality Officer, Floss, inputing surveys, collating responses and supporting the development of patient resources, making an important contribution to how we listen, learn and improve.

For volunteers like Alison, that support can span many years, creating meaningful connections and leaving a lasting impact across the Hospice and the wider community.

Read Alison’s story to see how one volunteer has supported the Hospice in so many ways over the years, building connections with others in our community.

As we mark Volunteers’ Week, we want to say a heartfelt thank you to every volunteer who gives their time, energy and compassion. Whether supporting patients and families, helping in our shops, assisting at events or working behind the scenes, our volunteers are a vital part of everything we do. If you’re inspired to make a difference, there are many ways to get involved.