Join me and garden pals ... we are more than just work team
I HAVE been a volunteer gardener at St Ann’s Hospice for over a decade, joining the team of gardeners after my wife, Jan, was cared for at the hospice in 2010.
Jan loved gardening and the final few days of her life she was on end-of-life care at the hospice.
I visited the gardens during the time I spent with Jan and I knew then, that when the time was right, I would volunteer as a gardener in her memory.
I volunteer at the garden twice a week, with a team of six other people.
I will never forget the way Jan was looked after in the last few days of her life.
The hospice not only looked after Jan, but also me and the whole family.
The hospice was a welcoming, comforting place for our children and grandchildren to visit and spend time with Jan in the last few days of her life.
The patients at St Ann’s are always my priority, from ensuring there are hanging baskets and raised flowerbeds which can be seen by patients from their beds and plenty of colourful borders and pots around the patio areas where patients and their relatives can sit in the peaceful garden.
I enjoy seeing the patients experience the garden and I know how much getting out into the garden either for patients or families can improve their day.
I have often received comments of praise for the gardens from patients and families, which is lovely.
We aren’t just a team of gardeners we are a community that provide support and companionship to each other as well as others.
I have made some lovely friendships and I look forward to seeing everyone on the days I volunteer.
Volunteering at St Ann’s Hospice is an important part of my life and I’m there in every season, come rain or shine.
I’d recommend St Ann’s Hospice as a place for anyone to spend time as a volunteer.
For more information on how you can get involved with volunteering at St Ann’s Hospice, go to www.sah. org.uk/get-involved/.