St Helena Hospice honoured 178 volunteers at the JobServe Community Stadium, one for 40 years of service. Its 950-plus volunteers staff 24 shops and more.
St Helena Hospice honoured 178 volunteers at its annual Thank You Day on Tuesday 20 October, including one person recognised for 40 years of service to the Colchester charity.
The event, held in a suite at the JobServe Community Stadium in front of 210 guests, marks the year in which volunteers reach a milestone in their time with the hospice. This year it also thanked several local businesses and community supporters.
The hospice has more than 950 volunteers. They work across its 24 charity shops and in its maintenance, reception and bereavement support teams, supporting the care St Helena gives people living with life-limiting conditions across north east Essex.
Who was honoured
According to the hospice, 106 volunteers received three-year service awards, 34 received seven-year awards and 22 received ten-year awards. Two volunteers each were recognised for 20, 25 and 30 years, and one person for 40 years. Fifteen-year awards were presented too, the hospice’s picture list shows, though it gave no count for them.
Certificates of Outstanding Contribution went to Graham Miller, a Fundraising Ambassador; Lene Johnson, a retail volunteer; and Malcolm Kimmance of the maintenance team.
Co-Chief Executive Kate Heslegrave thanked everyone for their dedication, time and passion, and Chair of Trustees Fran Hyde presented the awards. Deputy Mayor Cllr Paul Smith gave a speech thanking the volunteers and the wider community for supporting the hospice.
“We would not be able to provide the care”
Wendy Marcon, the hospice’s Voluntary Services Manager, said: “Our annual Thank You Day is our opportunity to show our appreciation to the incredible volunteers at St Helena.
“We have over 950 volunteers and without their invaluable contribution, we would not be able to provide the care and support that we do.
“We are very proud to celebrate 178 volunteers who have reached significant milestones in their volunteer service at St Helena this year and we feel it is important to recognise and acknowledge their achievements, as well as their dedication and commitment.”
Volunteers were also shown a video message from a hospice patient. “During the event, volunteers were shown a video message from a hospice patient who shared his experience of hospice care and personally thanked our volunteers,” she said. “It was a powerful and emotional reminder of the impact of their support and why it is so important.
“We are incredibly grateful for everything our volunteers do.”
About the hospice
St Helena was established in 1985 and provides specialist end of life care and support for people in north east Essex facing incurable illness and bereavement. Its services include the inpatient unit, Hospice in the Home, bereavement support and the SinglePoint 24/7 advice line and rapid response. The hospice says more than 90% of its support is given by the Hospice in the Home team in people’s own homes, and that 80% of the income it needs is raised in the local community, through donations and gifts left in wills.
Anyone interested in volunteering can find current roles at sthelena.org.uk/volunteer.
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