Volunteers’ Week recognising incredible contributions

Volunteers’ Week (1-7 June) celebrates the invaluable contribution volunteers make across the UK.

According to Hospice UK, more than 125,000 volunteers support 220 hospices, helping to deliver quality care.

They include 73 volunteers at Francis House. Our volunteers range in ages from 20 to 92 and provide more than 275 working hours a week.

We only employ one chef – Dean. Thirty three volunteers help with kitchen duties and preparing and serving meals.

After decades of service three of our kitchen volunteers retired, and we are very grateful to Sue, Ron and Krystyna and all of our volunteers for giving their time in so many ways.

Sue Altree (pictured left) a retired teacher from Cheadle Hulme, began volunteering on the Saturday tea team in 2002. She said:

“I had a look around and thought what a fantastic cause. I felt inspired by what was going on here and wanted to contribute towards it. I’ve really enjoyed it and the care team have been great, it is a really happy place to work.”

Ron and Krystyna Gratton from Didsbury, came as a ‘double-act’ and spent nineteen years volunteering at Francis House. The couple were in the crowds when the late Princess Diana opened the hospice in 1991.

Krystyna a retired optometrist said: “It’s been a pleasure to come every week and although you don’t work directly with the children – there is a fantastic care team for that, I’ve been able to talk to the families that come here, it’s their holiday, a real break.”

Volunteers are essential to the smooth running of Francis House and we would like to thank each and every one of them for their help and support.

We are looking for volunteers to cover our busy Friday lunch time period in the hospice. To find out more visit our volunteer page.

Can you spare a few hours a month? We are looking for people to join, or start, a local fundraising group. If you have time to spare and would like to find out more contact Ellie Bridges in our fundraising office on 0161 443 2200.