Sue Ryder volunteer stories

I applied to become a volunteer at Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice in 2014 and although we always think volunteering is giving something to other people, it is also about giving something to ourselves, although I didn’t realise that until later.

I’d managed a busy local business for 15 years and loved my job, but then I was diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which took time and energy to recover from, followed closely by a sudden bereavement, and I felt my perspective on life shift. I needed to do something that gave more meaning to my life and I’d always known about the hospice up the road.

After I applied to volunteer, I remember waiting anxiously to hear that I’d been accepted. Finally, I started in our Day Hospice (now Community Hub), where up to 12 patients would come for the day and take part in various activities. It felt like my first day at school again – things to learn, people to get to know – and of course some of those were very poorly people. I have always been empathic, but was conscious of not letting this turn into being overly sympathetic. Luckily our patients made that easy for me! At first, I was surprised to hear the banter and humour – some of it quite dark – between the patients themselves and with staff and other volunteers, but I took my cue from them and relaxed very quickly.

Three years later, our Volunteer Coordinator was going to be away for a while and they needed someone to cover. A staff member gave me a nudge – ‘You could do that,’ he said. ‘Really?’ I asked. It hadn’t occurred to me that I could move from a volunteer role to a staff position. He reminded me that I’d managed a busy office before. He’d seen that I was reliable and quite well organized, and said, ‘You’re a volunteer and you work with other volunteers. You know what they need. Go for it!’

So, I did. I had to be interviewed for the position, and it was nerve-wracking. I’d become used to being a volunteer and I knew how that worked, but to put myself on the line as a member of staff felt quite daunting. But really, when I read the job description, I knew that my previous work experience made me qualified for the role and the experience I’d built up as a volunteer meant I felt comfortable in the Sue Ryder space. I understood what we did (and what we couldn’t do) and I had enormous respect for my fellow volunteers. If I could ‘hold the fort’ for them while the real Volunteer Co-ordinator was away, then I’d be happy to do it.

I was offered the job and because there was no one to have a formal ‘handover’ with, one of the part-time Volunteer Administrators taught me all I needed to know. No one could have done it better – she gave me the best possible support while I learned! I also had the fantastic support of our Centre Director, fellow staff members and of course our wonderful volunteers, who gave me a chance to show them I was okay. Our Coordinator didn’t return, so I was made the permanent Volunteer Coordinator about nine months later.

What would I say to someone thinking about a move from volunteer to staff member?

I think it’s what I always said to our volunteers, especially when they were new and nervous. You bring all your life and work experience and skills with you when you volunteer. You might not have the same job title you had before, but the skills you used every day are still there and you use them for our benefit when you volunteer – commitment and reliability, organisational skills, flexibility, learning new skills, helping others, teamwork – all things that translate back into a paid role.

If there is a staff role that interests you, speak to your Volunteer Coordinator and they will help you find out what is involved so you can see if it is what you’re looking for, and if so, how your skills match up. Are there any gaps that we could help you with, so you are confident about applying? We can help you with your CV, making the most of all you have done as a volunteer and before. We can also help with interview techniques.

Everyone wants to help you get on, so just ask! I’ve never regretted it for a moment.