Meet our Volunteer: Gill

As part of Volunteers’ Week 2023, we are proud to speak with some of our outstanding volunteers to learn more about their roles and why they decided to join #TeamHospice. In this piece, we are delighted to introduce you to Gill, who has volunteered in our Human Resources team for just over six months.

Why did you start volunteering at the hospice?

I had a career working in a bank for many years, which I loved. After taking voluntary redundancy, I decided I wanted to use my skills to give something back. Around this time, I also moved to Barnsley, so I thought volunteering would be a good way to get to know the area better and meet some new people.

Initially, I volunteered to help with the 2021 census, which was a great way of getting out and about in the area, and I also helped out at a COVID-19 vaccine centre. I then turned my hand to a spot of gardening at another organisation, but I am a fair-weather gardener!

Finally, this volunteering role at the hospice came up online and sounded like a great opportunity. I haven’t got a connection with Barnsley Hospice myself, but others close to me have, and I know about the importance of hospice care.

What do your responsibilities as a volunteer include?

My role is to support the Human Resources team, and I come in for one day a week. It looks different every week, but I help with things such as organising and cataloguing staff uniforms and transferring paper files to digital ones.

What is your favourite part about volunteering?

My favourite part of volunteering is that I am giving something back and feel useful. My role at the hospice has meant I can use the skills I learnt throughout my career and pick up new ones, too – especially when it comes to computers!

I didn’t really know what to expect when I started, but I feel like a valued part of the team.

What would you say to anyone considering volunteering?

To anyone considering volunteering at the hospice, go for it! Everyone is so friendly, you will feel like part of the team, and you get so much satisfaction from knowing that you are helping others.

I can still go on holiday and have the flexibility to do the other things I enjoy, so it’s great.

Please see our current volunteer opportunities to learn more about how you could help us to help others by volunteering your time.