For twenty years, Lesley has been an unassuming yet essential presence in the gardens of the Hospice, helping maintain the calming, restorative spaces that mean so much to patients and families.
Lesley’s volunteering journey began after undergoing cancer treatment in 2003 and feeling somewhat bereft when help from a local support group ended, she looked to volunteering to stay connected with the community. She started on the cusp of the Hospice moving to its current site and helped relocate plants, settle the new IPU gardens and shape the environment enjoyed today.
Lesley cherishes the sense of community among volunteers which creates a safe, supportive space, explaining that “there’s a freedom where you can talk openly if you want to.” She is also a great advocate of the Spring Centre’s support services which she used following a recurrence of the illness that was successfully treated a few years ago. For her, the gardens are more than a place of beauty – they are a source of calm. She notes that patients and families often tell her the gardens “help bring a bit of peace back to their lives.”
And if you’re in two minds regarding volunteering, Lesley urges you to just come and try it as she’s sure there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
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