After 37 years as a bank manager at Lloyds, Sharon took voluntary redundancy in 2024, seeking a new direction after her long corporate career. Her connection to the Hospice began on a deeply personal level – both her parents spent their final days here, and the compassionate care they received left a lasting impression. Sharon described the dignity, comfort, and support provided by the Hospice during the most difficult times.
In September 2024, Sharon started volunteering two days a week in the Memory Fundraising team, just planning to help out for six months or so before finding a new job. However, Sharon was offered a temporary three-month contract, which soon expanded to four days a week. By June 2025, her passion and dedication had not gone unnoticed, and she successfully secured a new role – Embedded Fundraiser – in a job share arrangement.
Her responsibilities include managing in-memory fundraising, tribute pages, funeral donations, and events such as Light Up a Life. The role also involves building long-lasting relationships with patients and families early in their journey, offering them ways to support the Hospice beyond financial contributions alone. Sharon finds the work deeply fulfilling, particularly the human element of spending time with families and helping them honour loved ones. She contrasts this with her previous corporate role, noting the sense of value and appreciation she feels daily.
Sharon encourages anyone considering volunteering to take the leap, highlighting the variety of roles and the strong support offered from day one. For her, the Hospice is more than a workplace – it’s a community making a difference every day.
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