Life story volunteers pen memoirs

As a life story writer, Nelson woman Anne Hilson pens the stories of those who are in their final stages of life.

She is one of a group of hospice volunteers who dedicate their time to help terminally ill patients document what their life-time achievements.

The experience was cathartic for many.

‘‘It’s not all a happy business but people do like to go back and revisit certain parts of their life.’’

Hilson began volunteering with the Nelson Tasman Hospice eight years ago. She had moved to the region from the North Island and was looking to do voluntary work when she saw an advertisement for hospice volunteers.

The hospice needed people to sell raffle tickets, or become life story writers and Hilson jumped at the chance to write as it was something she had always enjoyed.

For many the process of having their memoirs written was therapeutic.

‘‘Some people can’t physically do the things they want to so it is a form of occupational therapy.’’

When first approached, Hilson said some would say that they hadn’t had an interesting life. But after a chat over a cup of tea, most decided that they did in fact want to have their life’s story written.

‘‘It gives people a chance to revisit their lives and it seems to help their feelings of self worth and they really, really enjoy it.’’

The work was rewarding, she liked seeing people enjoy going over the different aspects of their lives.

She gave people the option of whether they wanted to talk through their life chronologically or focus on certain aspects.

‘‘You can never tell what people are going to want to talk about.’’

Hilson would see some patients on a weekly basis for several months, others she might only get the chance to see a few times before they died.

‘‘But even two sessions for that person has been therapeutic for them which is what it is about.’’

She visits people in their own homes, and sometimes in the hospice if they were receiving respite care.

She barely has to ask questions as people just get talking.

Photos and other mementos are added to the memoir before it is printed and bound for the patient and their family.

‘‘Mostly they want to do something they can leave to their family.’’

While the service was about writing life stories, Hilson said the volunteers were also able to write letters to family members or pen their wishes for their funeral.

‘‘I’m trying to write my own memoirs and I never have time,’’ she laughed.