About Peter
Peter has been volunteering with the Laurel Hospice team at SAPS for seventeen years. His role includes offering afternoon tea, helping with meals, checking the washing and spending time with patients or visitors who might welcome a decent chat. These simple moments often create ease and connection.
Peter reflects: “I meet such a variety of people, each with their own lifetime journey and a realization of what is really important. It is a community service and I receive more than I give. We volunteer with like minded people, all with different views and personalities but with a common goal to make end of life care as best as possible.”
Q&A Interview:
Disclaimer: The views expressed are the opinions and thoughts of our interviewees, reflecting on their own experiences and views.
As a volunteer at Laurel Hospice, I spend my time offering afternoon tea, helping with the evening meal, checking the washing and supporting the small daily tasks that keep the unit moving. The afternoon tea trolley brings me into patient rooms and often helps establish rapport. I also look for someone who might enjoy a decent chat, whether a patient or a visitor. These simple moments create space for connection during an important time in people’s lives.
I randomly saw a notice in “weekly rag” and went to the information sessions then thought I’d give it a go.
It’s a community service and I receive more than I give. We volunteer with like minded people, all with disparate views and personalities. But a common goal to make EOLC as best as possible.
(Very different to my career)
It allows patients to chat if they wish to non-medical people about non-medical things. Family members can debrief, tell their own stories, cry, groan, complain and laugh!
SAPS are very generous with expressing their gratitude to volunteers. Their feedback is gratefully received where different skills have been gained with a wide range of experiences to be had.
Nothing specific. Life and time change but overall people don’t.
Come & try! It has been a wonderful experience for me. You meet some truly beautiful people along the way. It’s not for everyone but it is very rewarding if it suits your personality.
