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Lewis McDuff tells of his Hospice experience
I recently finished 10 years of service with the hospice having worked in the Kitchen for all that time. I would like to put on record my admiration for the work the Hospice North Shore does.
The dedication and selflessness from all the people I met whether paid or like me a volunteer has to be admired.
Whilst we volunteers have shifts of about two hours most if not all are willingly put in extra time with out being asked. |
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Michelle, who is the Head House keeper and Lynda, Mary, Tammy and Alison have been great to work for and with, they care deeply about the role they have in giving a wide range of wholesome meals to our patience’s treating them like you would guests in your own home.
My 10 years is short compared with some. One lady working the day I did
(I wont name her) has been there I believe, in excess of 20 years.
Still happy to come do her best and leave smiling at the end of the shift and she is in her late 70’s.
Other people I have met are in there 30’s to 90’s so it shows that people of any age who have a passion to help can contribute to what Hospice does.
We enjoy the experience; we enjoy the friendship and enjoy helping our less fortunate New Zealanders in their hours of need. We help Hospice because we all believe in its goals and aspirations
I wish Hospice all the best and may it continue its course into the mists of the time ahead.
Lewis McDuff |
Debbie Center - Member of Hospice North Shore Fundraising and Events Committee (FEC)
Debbie, a valued member of our FEC team is giving back.....
I joined the Hospice North Shore Fundraising Events Committee (FEC) after my mother died of cancer just over 2 ½ years ago. It was time to give back! Hospice had been very good to Mum while she was sick and my family and I were very grateful. I am one of many volunteers on the FEC and together we organise functions for Hospice North Shore. Some of the functions that I, along with the committee have helped to organise are: Vintners Luncheon, Annual North Shore Women’s Golf Tournament, Quiz Night, Movie Night, Homes Tour and the Trees of Remembrance Appeal – just to name a few. We rely on the generosity of sponsors (our heartfelt thanks to them) and to the public who continue to support us by attending the events that we run. As well as helping in the fundraising, we have a lot of fun together.
I have thoroughly enjoyed working for a wonderful organisation such as Hospice North Shore. It has been a privilege and honour to have worked with a lovely group of ladies ably lead by Ginette Lee. We meet on the 2nd Tuesday of every month at 5.30pm at Hospice North Shore and would welcome any new people. Upcoming functions are: ‘Intouchables’ Movie on at the Bridgeway Theatre at 4.00pm Sunday 14th October, North Shore Women’s Golf Tournament on Monday 26th November and the Trees of Remembrance Appeal 7 - 24 December. “ |
Elsie Tillet Award Winner June 2012 was awarded to
Phillippa Holley
Phillippa is a real asset to hospice.
She has developed a personal relationship with various art dealerships in the city and her knowledge of porcelain and antiques allows her to immediately recognise value and sort the wheat from the chaff on behalf of Hospice. |
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It is not uncommon for her to be seen making the journey across the bridge to the auction house with her car full of saleable items which the uninitiated amongst us would have sold for a pittance.
She can be regularly seen trudging the streets dropping leaflets into letterboxes encouraging residents to remember Hospice should they be thinking of disposing of any goods. And heaven help any home owner foolish enough to erect a ‘for sale’ sign outside their premises! Our lady leaves no stone unturned in her efforts to encourage them to donate any surplus to requirements household goods to Hospice when they move!
Her long suffering husband has given up trying to retain the garage in their new home for the sole purpose it was intended. Part of it has already become a ‘drop off’ centre for her many hapless friends to leave unwanted goods.
Phillippa is a person who really does epitomise the role of both volunteer and member of the Hospice family – she embraces wholly our values –compassion, integrity, respect, quality. We value the opinions, the ideas and the energy she brings to her workplace. Her sense of humour is fabulous and the work ethic is surely something our youth today could learn from.
One of the questions the application form asked back then was “what attracts you to Hospice volunteering?”
The answer:
“After a lifetime of helping others, my mother died of cancer on her own. It would be great to try in some way to help prevent that happening to someone else“
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Trees for Remembrance 2011 Big Thank you
It has at times been an emotional journey, reflecting on the heartfelt messages, and the wonderful support.......
What an amazing event. Hospice North Shore had 11 sites around the North Shore with Trees of Remembrance in the fortnight leading up to Christmas. The event has been running for 13 years and the level of support and commitment our community offers through this time, is overwhelming.
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A heartfelt thank you to all our volunteers, who staff the trees, and to the management teams at each site. There is so much goodwill and assistance, given to this event.
The biggest thanks must go to the public, for their continued support of Hospice North Shore, through Trees of Remembrance, especially in these challenging financial times.
I feel so fortunate to have been involved this year. It has at times been an emotional journey, reflecting on the heartfelt messages, and the wonderful support extended by the public and our amazing volunteers.
Hospice North Shore exists for the families in our community; and the community has responded in kind, by widespread support, with this years event.
Thanks so much to everyone involved; and best wishes for a safe and happy Christmas.
Regards Karen Lee
On behalf of: The Trees of Remembrance Coordinating Team 2011
Our Sites: Devonport New World, Barry's Point Road Countdown, Northcote Countdown, Westfield Shore City, Milford Mall, Glenfield Westfield, Browns Bay National Bank, Albany Pak'nSave, Albany Westfield, Mairangi Bay Arts Centre, EziBuy Albany
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Kay's Story
As a registered nurse I have always enjoyed and found palliative care very rewarding.....
Unexpectedly and sadly my first contact with Hospice North Shore was in 2002 when my 29yr daughter was diagnosed with secondaries following breast cancer. We had great support in the community and when Jo was an in-patient she spent her last days surrounded by family and friends in the very loving caring environment of Hospice North Shore.
For years I struggled to go back there, however living in Invercargill for 18 months helping my younger daughter with family while doing her nursing training gave me the opportunity and I became a volunteer at day stay in Invercargill. read more.... |
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Volunteering at Hospice
Stella Chambers, Hospice has given me far more than I could ever give Hospice.....
My first awareness of Hospice volunteers was in 1995 when my brother became a volunteer driver following the death of his beloved wife who had been cared for with much love and compassion in Hospice North Shore. At that time I vowed I too would become a volunteer when I retired from my employment.
This transpired in 2005 when I joined Hospice and started working with the kitchen team, firstly on Friday and Sunday afternoons fortnightly, which entailed serving afternoon tea and doing dishes. This gave me personal contact with patients and families.
I now work still on Sunday afternoon fortnightly and also every Wednesday morning making a copious amount of sandwiches towards lunch for our Day Group patients. The team I work with are a pleasure to be with and if the laughter that emanates from the kitchen is anything to go by, it is truly a happy place to be.
Volunteers come in all shapes, sizes and age groups as I have found in working with a young lady of just 21 years of age. When people say to me how much they admire me for the time I give Hospice my reply is and always will be,
"Hospice has given me far more than I could ever give Hospice"
I hope to be able to continue for as long as Hospice has a job for me.
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As Simple as a Cup of Tea
Bernie Fraser, a privilege to be able to give patients and their families something as simple as a cup of tea.....
I became a Hospice volunteer because I found that I had some spare time in my day that I wanted to donate back to the community in some rewarding way. At the time, the Hospice's main need was for drivers to transport patients to treatment appointments or hospital etc. I like driving and helping people, so I decided that this was something that I could easily do. That is how it started.
After a while, the Hospice needed helpers in the kitchen, and so I decided to give that a go, a little out of my comfort zone to start with, being that there were no other males around in the kitchen, but I found it really enjoyable and have met and continue to work with some really lovely people.
It is a privilege to be able to give patients and their families something as simple as a cup of tea in the midst of such a private time for them. The Hospice community is a really caring family and I am happy to be able to contribute whatever I can to help. |
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Allan Gillespie - Day Group Volunteer for 10 years........
I look forward to each Wednesday as the “Best Day of my Week”!
Each Wednesday I walk into “Joy and Love”, amongst other volunteers and patients. It’s been like that for ten years. I recall at my interview being asked what area I would like to serve in. I chose serving patients and I am still enjoying being part of the Day Group Team.
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