Alison Tucker’s Story
Alison Tucker has been Volunteering at St Christopher’s for the last five years
Here Alison explains a bit more about her work at the hospice.
“I have been a Volunteer at St Christopher’s for 5 years, since retiring from my career in Education. Living in Sydenham I have always been aware of St Christopher’s as a part of the Community. When I began volunteering I had a regular shift on one of the wards, working with patients and their families, and have continued with that role ever since. I really like that every week is different, with new people to meet and talk to. You never know who might need you. St Christopher’s has also trained me in hand massage, which is something I offer to patients who really find it relaxing and sometimes use it as an opportunity to talk about how they’re feeling.
I really like that every week is different, with new people to meet and talk to
“I have found that as the hospice reviews and develops its Volunteer Strategy, there are more and more opportunities open to Volunteers. It means that as well as Volunteering on the ward I have done several administration roles in quite a few different departments, too many to mention. This has been great as I prefer to do one off tasks and help out on specific projects, whereas I know some other Volunteers find regular shifts doing this type of work more rewarding.
I have made many new friends through my volunteering, which has been a real bonus!
“Recently I have been part of a group of Volunteers involved in an exciting hospice project supported by the Health Information Network. Working with St Christopher’s staff, we have developed and delivered training on difficult conversations to staff from other organisations, so that they can train their own volunteers. I am also involved in the Hospice Staff Coaching initiative and am a member of Volunteer Voices, a group of Volunteers who provide a Volunteer perspective on Hospice developments. Along the way I have made many new friends through my volunteering, which has been a real bonus!”
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