The hospice, which opened in 1985, was founded by dedicated people who volunteered their time and skills to establish hospice care in north east Essex. Over the past 40 years thousands of passionate people have volunteered in many different roles to support St Helena Hospice to care for people who face incurable illness and bereavement.

Wendy Marcon, volunteer services manager, said:

“St Helena currently has around 900 volunteers who come from a diverse range of backgrounds to bring a wealth of skills, experience and knowledge to a variety of roles. 

“The charity couldn’t do what we do without the incredible passion, dedication and support of so many volunteers.

“Nearly 700 people volunteer within our retail teams. With 24 shops, two donation centres and ecommerce, our retail division is a huge operation, and our fantastic volunteers are a vital part of the success of this area. 

“Whether volunteering in the hospice supporting the clinical teams or helping at events or in retail, all our volunteers contribute to making a difference to the services we can offer to our patients and their families, and to the general running of the organisation. 

“As we celebrate the 40th anniversary of St Helena throughout 2025, we are proud that we have volunteers also celebrating 40 years of dedication this year, and that is testament to what a fantastic charity St Helena is to volunteer with.”

Cally Boutle has been volunteering as a gardener for 40 years, starting a few weeks before the Hospice opened in 1985. Mrs Boutle says volunteering is rewarding:

“It's just so nice to be part of the gardening team. The garden is somewhere for patients and families to go, and it’s been laid out so it’s accessible for wheelchairs, and patient beds can go out there too.

“Gardening at the hospice is just something I like doing. We do our bit and make it look tidy for another week.”

Lotte Sherman is a long-serving volunteer who has been helping out on the ward, in the kitchen and with fundraising activities since 1985. Mrs Sherman said:

“I have quite a few memories over the last 40 years, but one outstanding one was when a nurse, knowing I am German, asked if I would mind sitting with and speaking with a German patient who had no family here and little English.

“It really brought it home to me just how much the staff cared for patients, realising the importance for them to be able to communicate in their last hours. I was able to talk with that patient and later communicate with the family in Germany.

“I have met all kinds of people over the years; friendly, caring, considerate people.”

St Helena has many volunteering roles available and in particular is urgently in need of volunteers at Magdalen Street furniture shop, Colchester; Peartree Road shop, Stanway; weekends at Books, Brew and Boutique, Stanway; Walton on the Naze shop. 

The charity also needs volunteer beauty therapists or people who work for a cosmetic brand with hands on experience in skincare; gardeners to help in the hospice garden; and for its Creation Station sessions after school and holiday clubs at various locations.

Visit www.sthelena.org.uk/volunteer for all volunteering opportunities or email volunteer services at volunteer@sthelena.org.uk