Giving back through food and kindness: Carol's story

Carol, 65, is a retired insurance broker who lives near Bramhope, Leeds, with her husband and giant schnauzer, Jack. In 2023, her mum was diagnosed with bowel cancer and spent her final week at Wheatfields Hospice receiving palliative care.

“What made me decide to volunteer was that my mum, who was 83, was diagnosed with bowel cancer. By the time she was diagnosed, it was too late for treatment. She ended up going into Wheatfields at the beginning of September 2023 and was there for a week. It was very much palliative care at the end.”

“I was going into Wheatfields at seven o’clock in the morning and leaving at nine o’clock at night. Whenever I walked in, I felt as if I was being given a hug. Even though it was a horrible situation, I felt as though I could really relax in a way. Everybody was so lovely that I really wanted to give something back, but I needed a period of time to grieve.”

“For me, volunteering was a no-brainer because my mum had been in the hospice. I already had an understanding of what happens when someone passes away in what can be a very upsetting and difficult environment, and it’s up to volunteers to help make it that little bit easier if we can.”

“I started volunteering at Wheatfields in November 2024 and have been there ever since. I worked in insurance all my life, so I really didn’t want anything office-based. I wanted a hands-on role, so I joined as a catering volunteer.”

“I work every Monday and do quite a long shift. It's hard work, but I absolutely love it. There's lots of washing up, tidying up and stocking up all the cupboards and family rooms. My favourite part is serving the patients their meals and helping the families who can come in very distraught.”

“I try to help look after them, show them where the family rooms are, if this has not been done already, and offer to make them a drink. That's my favourite part, dealing with the patients and the families, because for me, it's what it's all about.”

“People helped me out when I was visiting the hospice. They made cups of tea and showed me where things were, and always took care of me as a family member. Volunteering makes me feel that I'm doing my bit.”

“When I get there, I prepare the patients trays for lunch and tea, and then serve the meals. It’s lovely to take them in and have a little chat with the patients. They might have a nice bunch of flowers, or there might be something on television that we have a little chat about.”

“I’m a keen cook myself, so I’m learning new recipes from a couple of the really good chefs. I’ve had an insight into how a professional kitchen runs, especially from a hygiene point of view, which I knew very little about before. It’s been interesting to get involved and pick up that knowledge.”

“We live in a very diverse society now, and that was one of the online training courses I had to complete. It’s definitely been something new for me. I retired when I was 44, so I’ve been retired for over 20 years. Thankfully the world has moved on since then and things are completely different. It’s good to embrace how things are now. In my retirement, I may not have had much involvement with diversity.”

Although volunteering in a hospice can sometimes be emotionally challenging, Carol says the rewards far outweigh the difficult moments.

“The nurses are amazing, but they’re so busy. If I can make somebody a cup of tea, show them to the family room or help them with anything, I’ll do that. Quite often, they come to my little door in the kitchenette where I am and ask me for something. If there’s any way I can help, then obviously I will.”

“I come home shattered, but I'm glad I've been because I'm working with great people. I meet lots of people who are going through such an awful time and, because I've been there, I can empathise with what they're going through. I'm hoping to continue volunteering for a long, long time.”

“It can be a very sad environment, but I find it incredibly fulfilling. It’s hard work, but that’s my choice because I want to work hard and contribute as much as I can when I’m there. I come away feeling fulfilled, knowing I have hopefully done my bit for another Monday.”