“St Christopher’s is full of laughter and frivolity and all of the staff are amazing. They are extremely thankful for what we do as volunteers.”
Colin’s story
What if when you started to pull back from full-time work you could start doing something else that would, as well as helping hundreds of people, boost your social confidence and inspire you to live life to the full?
That is, in a nutshell, the volunteering experience of retired chartered surveyor Colin Goodwin.
Eight years ago, when he reduced his working hours, Colin knew he definitely didn’t want to stare at the four walls of his Orpington home watching daytime television and did want to do something for the community.
He adds: “I’d been heavily involved with the local scouts and have always believed in a community ethos. So, I came and looked round St Christopher’s and just immediately felt comfortable.”
Colin, 64, admits that when he started volunteering eight years ago, he probably wouldn’t have predicted flourishing in the roles he now loves – both of them working closely with patients.
“I wouldn’t have said I was a natural at starting conversations with strangers. But since I started volunteering with St Christopher’s that’s been my role – to engage with people and, where appropriate, start a conversation.
“It’s really benefitted me as I am now much more confident in social situations.”
Colin splits his time with St Christopher’s between the gym at Caritas and the in-patient unit at Sydenham.
At the active gym sessions, Colin supports the physiotherapist and helps the five or so patients using the exercise machines.
“I chat to them while they’re doing their exercise and I think it helps take their mind off it. I think for a lot of people there it’s also a bit like a small social club as much as an exercise class and that means I help them with both physical and mental stimulation.
“When I’m on the wards I might make patients or visitors a cup of tea, or maybe befriend a patient who doesn’t have a visitor.”
“I meet wonderful people and, if they want to, encourage them to talk about their lives.”
“I chat to [patients] while they’re doing their exercise and I think it helps take their mind off it”
Colin
Prior to starting as a volunteer, Colin had little or no experience of a hospice and is now keen to dispel people’s fears and misconceptions.
“There’s this image of a sad and morbid place. But it is far from that. St Christopher’s is full of laughter and frivolity and all of the staff are amazing. They are also extremely thankful for what we do as volunteers. Every evening someone will come and say thank-you.”
When he walks out of the door at the end of a volunteering shift on the ward, Colin says he often feels mixed emotions.
“More often than not there’ll be a sense of having achieved something. But there are sad times when people pass away who you have built up a relationship with.”
It’s that exposure to death and dying that influenced Colin’s new approach to life – in a positive way.
“Volunteering at St Christopher’s has really brought home to the importance of going out and making memories now. I talk to people there about their memories and that’s encouraged me to go out and make those memories. Since I stopped working my wife and I have now travelled to China and Australia.”
Recognising that not everyone would feel suited to a role working closely with patients, Colin stresses the variety of volunteering roles at St Christopher’s.
“I’d like people to see the diverse range of opportunities and emphasise what a friendly and accommodating place St Christopher’s is. Whether you want to work with patients, or in the shops or fundraising. I know people who have tried lots of different roles and you feel appreciated whatever you do.”
Want to say thank you to one of our amazing volunteers like Colin? Or inspired to volunteer too?
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