Phyllis Tuckwell, the local Hospice Care charity which provides supportive and end of life care for patients and families facing cancer, or another serious progressive illness, has recently recruited its 1,000th volunteer, Gill Head.

The charity relies heavily on its dedicated volunteers, who carry out many roles at the Hospice in Farnham, the Beacon Centre in Guildford and in the community. They may help on reception, greeting patients, families and visitors, tend the gardens, man the tills in one of the charity’s 20 shops, serve tea and coffee, lunch or supper to patients on the wards, help transport patients to and from the Hospice and Beacon Centre for Day Hospice sessions or other appointments, or visit patients in their own homes, providing company and perhaps taking them out for a few hours. Some may be studying for a career in medicine, nursing or therapies, and may help out at the charity in order to gain some valuable work experience.

Gill started volunteering for Phyllis Tuckwell after she retired but still felt that she needed a structure to her week. She now helps with the Tuesday tea round on the Hospice’s In-Patient Unit, and is hoping to find additional roles to complement this. “I like to support Phyllis Tuckwell,” she says, “as it is such a well-known and well-loved charity, which does incredible work for the local community. The people at the Hospice are really nice and it’s lovely to feel valued.”

“We would like to welcome Gill, as our 1,000th volunteer, and thank her and all of our wonderful volunteers, who dedicate their time and effort to help us offer outstanding care to patients and their families,” said Julia Morpeth, Voluntary Services Manager at Phyllis Tuckwell. “Our volunteers are hugely important to us, and we really appreciate everything they do to help us care for our patients – at the Hospice, the Beacon Centre and out in the community.”

If you would like to volunteer for Phyllis Tuckwell, please see our Volunteering webpage or contact Julia Morpeth on 01252 729431 or email julia.morpeth@pth.org.uk. Many flexible, varied roles are available, so there’s sure to be one which is perfect for you! Some volunteers regularly give several hours of their time a week, others just a few hours a month. But, whatever their role, they are all are invaluable to Phyllis Tuckwell and its patients, and the willingness with which they give their time and commitment is always appreciated.

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Notes for Editors:
For press enquiries and alternative pictures contact: Jen Barnes at Phyllis Tuckwell on 01252 729433 or email jen.barnes@pth.org.uk