Could volunteering for Hospice in the Weald put a spring in your step?
22nd January
Hospice in the Weald has launched a volunteer’s appeal for 2023 in a bid to help the community and beat the January Blues.
Jemma Clements, Head of Personnel at Hospice in the Weald is appealing to those who are thinking about committing to a New Year’s resolution to become a volunteer.
“Our volunteers are a vital and valued part of our workforce at the Hospice but we need even more to join our amazing team and to help support our work. There are so many roles available, from working in one of our charity shops, helping in our beautiful gardens or at different events or supporting patients in a variety of different roles – there’s something for everyone! This will, of course, benefit the Hospice enormously but there are amazing, unexpected benefits to becoming a volunteer that can even improve your wellbeing.”
The ‘January Blues’ affects more than a quarter of Brits and is considered a genuine medical condition. It’s classified as a type of depression caused by feelings and thoughts and differs from SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) which is thought to be caused by hormonal changes from reduced sunlight.
Studies have shown that volunteering and acts of kindness and can be a potent psychological booster because they trigger the release of dopamine – a feel-good neural transmitter. When you stop thinking about yourself and focus on something or someone else, stress levels start to decrease. This is because doing something for someone else interrupts tension-producing patterns and replaces it with a sense of purpose, positive emotions and high confidence levels.
Jemma added: “If you have a skill that could be useful in any capacity we would love to hear from you. We can even think about creating a volunteer role that makes the most of what someone has to offer. As a local charity we have so much work to do in the community to support people and their families who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness. We want to make the experience as positive as possible and ensure that no one feels alone when they are facing end of life illness or care.”
Hospice in the Weald provides care completely free of charge to patients with a terminal illness, and those important to them, in West Kent and northern East Sussex. This includes in patient ward and Cottage Hospice care, counselling, outreach caring for people in their homes and a Living Well Centre.
Four benefits of volunteering:
- It’s fun
Volunteering provides the opportunity to meet new people, expand community networks and make lifelong friends.
- It promotes personal growth and skillset
Volunteering is good for both interpersonal skills and for your CV. Employers love to see a range of work and life experience and volunteering can help you enhance an existing skillset or learn something completely new.
- It’s good for the community
Volunteering gives you a chance to be part of addressing some of the world’s greatest challenges and will help support people, their families and the community. This is often a life changing experience and can bring a profound sense of purpose, joy and gratitude.
- It’s good for health and wellbeing
Volunteering may help to reduce stress and counteract anger and anxiety. The social contact of working with others with a common goal can also have a positive effect on your sense of purpose and happiness due to the release of dopamine.
For more information on Hospice in the Weald please visit the ‘join our team’ section of the website www.Hospiceintheweald.org.uk
