Meet Gillian – Our Volunteer Fundraising Assistant, now Trustee

“I would say, no doubt, you’ll enjoy what you’re doing”

Gillian has been volunteering since May 2025, working with the fundraising team to manage our collection tubs.

With a connection to the Hospice, volunteering was something she knew she wanted to do. Gillian said “I grew up in Runcorn, and the Hospice has always been there. I took early retirement and I said to myself that one of the things I would like to do is volunteer at Halton Haven Hospice in whatever capacity I could. One of the first things I did after I got over the giddiness of being retired was to put my application in, and I usually volunteer one day a week.”

“Volunteering at the hospice is worthwhile to you, important to the community and is an enjoyable experience,” she adds.

Gillian also supports the Hospice in other ways. “For the past couple of years, me and my sister organised a fundraising event in memory of our mum, who passed away in 2023, in support of the Hospice.”

Every volunteer brings unique skills to the team which helps shape how they support the Hospice in their role, and for Gillian her previous experiences have helped to set up a new way of doing our collection tubs. She says, “The skills from my previous profession are very transferable. We now have a system, where we know where all the tubs are, having a rolling program of collections of tubs and deliveries. The tubs are in places such as; shops, community centres and pharmacies, they’re everywhere!”

After making such an impact on our fundraising team Gillian now recommends volunteering to others. She says “I would say to people, even if you can only give two hours a week, that two hours can make a massive difference. It might be that you’re counting money, cleaning and tidying the kitchen where the meals have been prepared for the patients that are here with us, it might be that you’re in our Widnes shop and sorting out the last two deliveries that no one’s had time to do – there will always be something to do. And I would say, no doubt, you’ll enjoy what you’re doing. The Hospice is an amazing place, and it needs to be looked after.”

“Don’t just think about volunteering. Do it. Do whatever you can, little or big.”

Becoming a Trustee

Since talking with Gillian, she has now become further involved with the Hospice and has joined our board of Trustees.

“After spending time working as a volunteer and being made aware of the impact of the role of all volunteers at the Hospice, I decided that I wanted to be a part of the strategic management and organisation here to help ensure the secure future of Halton Haven Hospice. Being a Trustee would allow me to do this.”

Halton Haven Hospice is “a haven for families and patients at times when it is most needed” If you’re interested in volunteering at Halton Haven, let us know by emailing volunteering@haltonhaven.co.uk.