Supporting the Hospice for 38 years and counting!

As Saint Francis Hospice celebrates its 38th birthday, volunteer Christine Clifford shares her recollections of supporting the charity, even before it officially opened its doors to care for the community.

In the late 1970s the Romford Recorder reported that a group of local people were aiming to set up a hospice in Havering. This sparked my interest, so I made a point of following the progress of this project.

By chance I had the opportunity to visit the site before building commenced, and saw volunteers hard at work clearing the very overgrown grounds.

How I've supported since 1984

It was pleasing to read of the opening of Saint Francis Hospice in July 1984. At that time, circumstances meant that I could only support Saint Francis Hospice by donations, but when I retired, I completed an application form, had an interview and was accepted as one of the 900+ volunteers who underpin our Hospice. 

The Hospice when it opened in 1984

I 'work' at the Hospice offices at the Hall in Havering-atte-Bower, and have two regular tasks, which are entering Consent Forms on to the Hospice data base, and transferring information from articles on the Hospice website to a spreadsheet.

However, I tend to describe my role as the 'odd-job girl' as there are days when other things need doing, e.g. laminating notices, counting out leaflets, proof-reading. Each session is different, and is very enjoyable, and the staff are so supportive. 

Helping to raise awareness of the Hospice services

I also help to staff the Hospice Information Stand, when Covid allows. The Queen's Hospital lets us have a stand in the main concourse once a month, and a group of us turn up to give out leaflets, talk to people about the Hospice or indeed anything and everything that comes up, and generally raise awareness of the Hospice and its work for the residents of Barking and Dagenham, Havering, Redbridge, Brentwood and West Essex, for people of all faiths and no faith. I've had so many interesting conversations. The Stand also goes to King George Hospital and to other venues.

Of course, going to the offices at the Hall once a fortnight means walking through the beautiful gardens and seeing the colours and plants of interest in all seasons of the year - such a transformation from what I saw in the early 80s and such a tribute to our dedicated team of gardeners!