Volunteer Spotlight: Julie Renvoize

Julie Renvoize has been part of Farleigh Hospice for more than four decades. In that time, she has helped raise a significant amount of money, supported countless events and brought people together, all while remaining quietly practical about the role she has played.

“I probably have been volunteering over 40 years,” Julie explains.

She first became involved with Farleigh after a friend encouraged her to get involved with fundraising activities supporting the hospice.

From there, she began helping with early events, including coffee mornings at Old Farleigh and jam making.

“We first started off with coffee mornings at Old Farleigh,” she recalls. “We used to make all these goodies… savoury and sweet.”

As her involvement grew, Julie became part of what developed into the Friends of Farleigh Hospice, eventually taking on a leading role when the group’s previous organiser moved away.

More than 40 years on, she continues to play a key part in Farleigh’s story.

Bringing people together

Much of Julie’s volunteering centred around events, from coffee mornings in the early days to large-scale garden parties and community gatherings.

“We first started off with coffee mornings at Old Farleigh,” she recalls. “We used to make all these goodies… savoury and sweet.”

As Farleigh grew, so did the events. Garden parties became a highlight.

“They were a great success. Oh, we had hundreds of people come.”

Julie and her team hosted events in generous spaces offered by supporters, including private gardens and farms. These occasions often welcomed guests and brought the community together in support of the hospice.

“I thought they were wonderful occasions,” she says.

A talent for catering

Julie modestly describes herself as someone who “just likes cooking,” but her efforts tell a different story.

From elaborate bridge days serving up to 120 people to large fundraising events, Julie was at the centre of the catering, organising menus and teams of volunteers.

“We cooked whole gammon, we had whole salmon… it was very elaborate,” she says. “They were always a sell out.”

These events required significant preparation and teamwork.

“I couldn’t have done any of this without helpers in the kitchen… it took us all the day before, as well as getting up before five in the morning.”

At their peak, Julie’s events involved large teams of volunteers.

“I used to have 15 to 16 helpers on the day itself.”

Adapting over time

Over the years, Julie supported a wide range of fundraising activities, from quiz nights and cathedral stalls to catering for Farleigh events such as Walk for Life and Cycle for Life.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Julie helped coordinate the making of scrubs for nursing staff.

“We made loads,” she says. “I didn’t personally make them, I just organised it… it was lovely driving around picking them up.”

A community effort

While Julie has been at the heart of many of these efforts, she is clear that none of it was done alone.

“I wouldn’t have been able to do it without the help of lots of other people,” she says. “I suppose I had the right friends who would always help.”

She speaks fondly of those she volunteered alongside, including her friend Hilda Hutchins, who sadly died earlier this year.

“I’ve met so many lovely people through Farleigh… it’s given me so much pleasure. I cannot tell you.”

Why it matters

For Julie, the motivation to volunteer has always been simple.

“There was always a need, wasn’t there?”

That sense of purpose, alongside the relationships built along the way, has stayed with her throughout her time at Farleigh.

When asked what she enjoys most about volunteering, her answer is immediate.

“Meeting people. No doubt about it.”

Looking back

Although Julie has now stepped back from volunteering due to her health, she remains closely connected to Farleigh and reflects on her time there.

“Well, I suppose you are making a difference,” she says.

When asked what she would say to others thinking about volunteering, her message is simple.

“Oh, go ahead and do it. It gives you so much pleasure.”