This Volunteers Week, we’re celebrating the incredible people who give their time and compassion to support The Myton Hospices. Our volunteers make a real difference to the lives of our patients, and we’re shining a spotlight on two of our volunteers in our Patient & Carer Wellbeing Service.
Sally and Kay are part of our team of Telephone Support Volunteers. Every week, they spend time chatting with patients, offering regular social phone calls that help people feel heard, supported, and less alone. These calls don’t involve clinical conversations. Instead, they’re all about everyday connection. Whether it’s talking about their favourite hobbies, what they enjoy, and what their day to day lives look like, these conversations bring warmth and a sense of normality into people’s lives.
Sally explained:
Often, when people think of hospice care, they imagine the very end of life. But Myton supports people right from the start of their journey. The people we speak to often just want a friendly chat with someone who isn’t a carer, a friend, or a family member – someone outside their usual circle. It’s a fantastic way to offer support.
With a background in hospital social work and in the charity sector, Sally was drawn to this role because it allowed her to reconnect with people on a personal level.
I love being frontline with patients and carers again. While these conversations aren’t clinical, my background helps me notice when someone isn’t quite themselves. If we pick up on anything like that, we let the Wellbeing team know so they can follow up with extra support.
Kay echoed this sense of purpose and impact.
What I love most is making people laugh. Even if it’s just for a few minutes, helping someone forget about their illness and feel like themselves again is what it’s all about. It’s a privilege to get to know them and we build such strong relationships that we often notice when something doesn’t feel quite right.
For many of the people they call, these conversations can be a vital part of their week, especially for those living alone. Sally added:
We get to know what they enjoy and what a ‘normal’ day looks like for them. That way, if they stop doing something they usually love, we can spot it and escalate it if needed. And if they don’t answer the phone but we know they’re normally out and about, we think – great! They’re getting on with their lives, which is exactly what we want for them.
Beyond the impact on patients, volunteering also brings something meaningful to the volunteers themselves. Sally continued:
Volunteering has developed so many skills in me. There’s an art to building trust with someone you’ve never met, and being able to help them relax, maybe even smile or laugh, is so rewarding. It gives me headspace. Life is hectic with grandkids and great grandkids, so these moments of calm connection mean a lot to me too.
Kay, who also volunteers on Reception at Warwick Myton Hospice, added:
My hairdresser actually encouraged me to try reception volunteering and now I love it. I do one shift a week and it’s the same thing I love about the calls: it’s about people. Everyone is so pleasant and appreciative of what Myton does. The two roles are different, but both come down to making connections.
Chad Khaira, Volunteer Coordinator at The Myton Hospices, said:
Each of our Telephone Support Volunteers brings something unique to the role, and that’s what makes the service so special. Their compassion, commitment and the life experiences they draw upon all play a vital role in the support they offer to our patients and their carers.
Kay has a wonderful way of connecting with people – her laughter often fills the room when she’s chatting to patients and it’s so lovely to see the genuine bonds she’s building with those she is supporting. Sally brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from her career and is always there to lend a hand and support fellow volunteers.
We’re so grateful for everything Sally and Kay do – their dedication truly makes a difference!
Both Sally and Kay say they’d encourage anyone thinking about volunteering to give it a go. Sally said:
If you’re thinking about it, just do it. You’ll never know the impact you can have until you try. And it’s not just about giving your time, it gives so much back to you as well.
Kay added:
Volunteering has helped me find purpose in retirement. I’ve gained so much from it.
If you’ve been inspired by Sally and Kay’s experiences, why not find out more about joining our incredible team of volunteers? There’s a role for everyone and your time could make a real difference to someone’s life.
