Pete started volunteering with St Peter & St James Hospice in July 2019. He assisted the retail team by answering the telephone and arranging the collection and deliveries of donated furniture. However, when the retail warehouse site moved to Hurstpierpoint, it was too far for Pete to travel and he chatted to the volunteering team about what else he could do to help the hospice. With Pete’s skills and experience in customer service and confident telephone manner, he was ideally suited to join our front of house team on reception.
We asked Pete what he liked about the role:
“This role has been ideal, as a person who has mobility difficulties, the environment is well set up for me. I enjoy helping people and being part of a friendly team, meeting and greeting people coming through the door and answering the telephone. I like to feel that I am making a difference, helping people to feel relaxed and comfortable and supporting them whilst visiting patients or attending therapy sessions. I like to put people at ease with a friendly face and being empathetic towards their individual situation and needs. The best thing about the role is that it is so varied from helping families, clinicians, funeral directors, fundraisers and the lovely team of staff and volunteers that make up the people at the hospice.”
Our receptionists are really important members of the hospice team; they are often the first friendly face that visitors meet when entering the hospice at what can be a challenging time, visiting those close to them who are at the end of their life.
With prior experience of working in the financial sector, Pete really values the impact that volunteering has had on his own mental health too. Volunteering has also allowed him to learn new skills and share his knowledge and skills in customer service; he is a really valued member of the reception team.
We spoke to Sheila, Pete’s supervisor, and she said; “Pete is always so reliable, willing to help out and learn new skills, so friendly and welcoming.”
Pete feels that the skills and experience gained from volunteering will be beneficial for future recruitment opportunities too.
