Here's why volunteering with Harrogate's Saint Michael's Hospice is so rewarding

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Saint Michael’s volunteers work across a wide-range of services, supporting in patient-facing roles, across retail shops, with fundraising and events and also with administration and support duties.

Latoya Goldsmith has been volunteering on the Inpatient Unit at Saint Michael’s Hospice for a year, supporting hospice staff to care for people who are living with a terminal illness and may be in the last days or weeks of their lives.

Originally from California, Latoya moved to Harrogate in 2016, and after looking for an organisation to volunteer with, reached out to Saint Michael’s and requested the opportunity to volunteer on the Inpatient Unit, to support the team in providing end-of-life care.

She said: “Coming from a medical background, being able to support and provide comfort to people at the end of their lives is something that is really important to me and that I’m passionate about.

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“One thing that stood out for me from the first moment I started volunteering was how the team at Saint Michael’s Hospice treat the people they are caring for with such kindness and respect, and I’m proud to support that."

Latoya offers her time once a week, and supports the team to provide care in a number of ways. She said: “Every week is different. I could be liaising with nurses on patients’ special requirements or needs, handing over to other volunteers, serving beverages and refreshments to patients, and chatting with them and listening to their stories.

“Patients often like to reminisce or think about the people who are closest to them, and if they would like someone to chat to or someone to listen to them, I’m here to help with that.”

Latoya is now encouraging anyone who can to volunteer their time at the hospice.

She added: “I’d encourage everyone, if they can spare the time, to volunteer with Saint Michael’s. Whether people feel more comfortable volunteering in a patient-facing role or not, there are lots of opportunities. It’s really fulfilling to be able to support the work that Saint Michael’s does.”

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To find out more about volunteering with Saint Michael’s, email [email protected] or call 01423 533 030.