Jodie - IPU Volunteer

How long have you been an IPU volunteer and what does your role involve?

I have been a volunteer in Farleigh’s Inpatient Unit (IPU) for seven months. I help the healthcare assistants (HCAs) and nurses by completing general duties to free them up to focus on patient care.

I have three regular 4-hour shifts each week, one afternoon and two mornings. I help serve lunch to the patients and help them to eat and drink if they need it. I spend time sitting and chatting to them, keeping them company and make teas and coffees for them and their families.

I also support with general duties, keeping everything clean and tidy, making sure everything is stocked up. Anything that the HCAs need assistance with that I’m allowed to do, I will help.

Why did you decide to apply to become a volunteer here at Farleigh?

I have done lots of fundraising for Farleigh for the past few years. I have run the London Marathon twice and I’ve also taken part in other fundraising events including Cycle for Life and Bubble Rush.

The problem was that I felt like I couldn’t keep asking the same people to sponsor me - it was getting too much. So I just thought if I can’t do that, I will give up my time – to me, I was still then giving something.

I’ve wanted to volunteer for a while but had to wait as my kids were a bit young so I was still doing the school runs and I wasn’t sure that I could fit in volunteering as well.

Did you apply for a role that was being advertised in the IPU?

Yes. Volunteering in the IPU had been what I was interested in doing but the role hadn’t come up for a while. My third and final child went up to secondary school and I thought, now they’re all at an age where they can get themselves to and from school, I would start to look properly so every day I went onto the volunteer pages.

In November, the specific role came up that I’d seen a couple of years before and had been interested in but it wasn’t the right time - so I applied there and then. I was invited to Farleigh for a chat and I got it, so I was very happy!

What do you enjoy most about volunteering in the IPU?

I feel like I’m doing something worthwhile by taking the pressure off the care team if they are very busy, which frees up their time to be giving patient care. The team are also very supportive of me, checking to make sure I’m okay and to ask if I need any help.

The advice I would give to anyone thinking of becoming a volunteer at Farleigh Hospice is don’t overthink it – just do it. Even if it is a couple of hours a week or whatever you can give. If it is something that you are interested in, it really does make a difference to them and you personally.

I get a feeling of satisfaction that I’m helping the patients and I’m also supporting the staff. Yes, there are some sad moments working in the IPU, but it is also rewarding and it’s worth it. I really love it.

How do I find out more about becoming a volunteer?

For more information on any of our volunteer roles, or to find out more about volunteering with Farleigh Hospice, please contact our Volunteering Team on 01245 933735 or email us at volunteer@farleighhospice.org