Volunteering with Hope has been simply amazing
HAVING taken early retirement from teaching and though still involved with different organisations and committees I decided that I would like to become a volunteer with a charitable organisation.
Why ‘Hope’? – Well, I chose the Hope Cancer Support Centre for several reasons but in particular because of the amazing support it provides for cancer sufferers and their families.
I had witnessed how the centre had been such a place of comfort and support to family and friends during both the time of their diagnosis and their treatment and also, sadly, a place that provided a counselling service to the family of those bereaved by cancer. A close relative was among one of the founding members of the organisation which meant that the Hope Centre had a special place in my heart.
Michael Jordan, who does sterling work for the Hope Centre, gave me the little bit of a push and encouragement required to put my name forward for voluntary work.
Following a very informative orientation meeting I was asked to join the cash counting team and volunteer in the Hope Shop on a Thursday afternoon. Working in both of these areas has greatly enriched my life as well as helping out such a worthy cause.
Wonderful friendships have been formed with fellow volunteers and those who work in the centre.
Many of those who support the shop through giving donations or purchasing from it have a very personal reason for doing so and it has been very humbling and a privilege to share their stories and know that in the volunteers they have a ‘listening ear’.
The Hope organisation is very appreciative of and gives great support to the voluntary workers through the organisation of talks, courses and social evenings.
The Hope Centre will be 20 years in existence this year and sadly some of the founding members are no longer with us but what a wonderful legacy they have left through their vision of starting up this cancer support group all those years ago.
Margaret Jacob