How long have you volunteered at Hospice At Home West Cumbria?
Jenny: "From the very beginning, which turned out to be 2010. Cockermouth Shop used to be down King’s Arms Lane. It was due to open in December 2009 and that’s when the Cockermouth floods happened. The stock wasn’t in the shop thankfully, and the shop had to be dried out."
Ruth: "I started volunteering at the same time as Jenny. We went along to the introduction for Hospice At Home West Cumbria to recruit volunteers, we were chatting to various people we knew. I saw Jenny and we got chatting and I said I’m doing Tuesday mornings (volunteering) and Jenny said the same."
Jenny: "It was just an event “come if you’re interested in being a volunteer” thing."
What is your job title/what does your role involve?
Jenny: "Volunteer in the shop! Or Retail Assistant Volunteer."
Ruth: "Between us, we’ve sorted books, stock, we’ve done all sorts. We both tidy, tag, and sort."
Jenny: "Here you tend to be on the till, so there’s always someone on the till. In the old shop you tended to be more in the back."
What are the challenges in your role and what do you enjoy in your role?
Ruth: "Any new technology has its problems."
Jenny: "We’ve got to grips with the new till now!"
Ruth: "For enjoyment – I’ve really enjoyed meeting loads of different people. We’ve had visitors come through regularly on coach tours and come every year. Also, meeting people who are donating their loved ones’ belongings. Some of those conversations have been really special, we’ve been able to listen to their story. I think it’s a privilege."
Jenny: "The donators in those cases like to feel they are giving back to the charity."
Ruth: "I’ve often said who knows when any of us may need Hospice At Home West Cumbria. I feel passionately about the hospice movement, if we had hospices all over the country and excellent palliative care it would be for the best."
What words would you use to describe Hospice At Home West Cumbria?
Jenny: "Caring and personal, because you get to build relationships with the person that’s used the charity."
Ruth: "Compassionate."
Any other comments or stories?
Jenny: "It's definitely memorable, it’s good to have a laugh and socialise."
Ruth: "One of the things I’ve really enjoyed is playing at shops! You have lovely chats with people that you may never see again, from all different walks of life.
One thing I would say is that you have to remember that everyone who is a volunteer is doing their best and trying their best."