Meet our Volunteering team

In my role I’m lucky enough to work across all our care centres supporting the amazing care that is delivered. I’ve spent the last couple of years developing the building blocks that make sure volunteers have a safe, productive and supportive experience with Sue Ryder. I’m responsible for developing and implementing our national volunteering strategy, and making sure that local Volunteer and Befriending Coordinators have the tools and support they need to grow volunteering at a local level.

Whether I’m developing training opportunities that enable volunteers to thrive or writing policies that help keep them safe, I love my job and I’m motivated by the passion and kindness that volunteers bring to their roles. I also very proudly co-chair the charity’s LGBTQ+ network and enjoy planning events and activities that celebrate our LGBTQ+ colleagues and volunteers.

Hello. I started with Sue Ryder back in 2009 and helped to create, launch and develop our multi-award-winning Community Plus scheme. In May 2021, I was appointed to the role of Volunteer and Community Plus Manager (Retail and Support Services) and now manage the retail volunteer team that is responsible for 6000+ wonderful volunteers across 400 of our stores and HMP bike workshops.

I am also co-chair of the People with Disabilities Network at Sue Ryder as part of our EDI agenda. At the moment, we are refreshing our volunteer journey and the way we recruit new volunteers through digital and online platforms. We have also introduced further reward and engagement with the introduction of Long Service Awards and ‘thank you’ phone calls.

I have been employed at Sue Ryder since January 2017 and I manage the volunteer database. My tasks involve setting up users and making sure our volunteer data held is relevant, accurate and compliant with GDPR. I report on all aspects of volunteering including the number of volunteers recruited, how many have left, the number of hours they have donated and the training they have completed.

I can also help if you need access to the Volunteer Database - so if you are a new member of staff or if you’ve forgotten your password, get in touch!

marguerite.voisey@sueryder.org

I joined Sue Ryder in November 2021, and really enjoy my role as the Volunteer Department Administration Assistant. Witnessing the dedication of Sue Ryder’s volunteers is both rewarding and inspiring.

My role involves various administration tasks, logging concerns or incidents, sending letters of reference, and responding to email and telephone enquiries which come through the volunteer helpline. I’m also responsible for sending long service awards to our amazing volunteers who have been with Sue Ryder for a year or even longer.

rachel.wyatt-cox@sueryder.org

I joined Sue Ryder in March 2023, and in my role as Support Officer, I provide support for volunteer concerns and complaints across the Retail and Support Services. I can support with anything connected to volunteering you may want to talk through, if you are unsure about a volunteer issue, and am sometimes on the end of the Volunteer Helpline.

julia.spargo@sueryder.org

In my role, I work closely with all the Probation Services to get people into Sue Ryder establishments where they can undertake their Community Payback (CP) in a structured and supportive environment. I also deliver training in how to supervise people on Community Payback and deal with any questions or issues as they arise.

I am always on the lookout for new projects and initiatives! Please contact me for more information on the Community Payback scheme, training in how to supervise CP volunteers, or any ideas about how people on CP may be able to help out where you work.

lucy.swann@sueryder.org

In my role, I look after the Retail Volunteer Coordinators, and I develop procedures, processes and supporting materials to make Retail Volunteering work in the very best way possible. The Retail Volunteer Coordinators and I are here to support all aspects of retail volunteering from recruitment, induction and training to development and guidance through issues which may arise.

I’ve been with Sue Ryder since 2022, but have worked here previously as a Retail Volunteer Coordinator and have a massive love for the charity.

Each of the retail regions has its own dedicated Retail Volunteer Coordinator (RVC). The RVC’s role is to actively support each shop team to recruit, retain and celebrate their volunteers. They can help with recruitment on the ground or online, new manager training and support, development of volunteers and guide you through any part of the volunteering processes.

leah.rubin@sueryder.org

As Retail Volunteer Coordinator, I have spent over four and a half years supporting shop managers and volunteer teams across the country driven by my belief in volunteers’ impact. I collaborate closely with retail teams to enrich volunteer experiences and ensure their vital efforts are celebrated. Finding new ways to engage volunteers inspires me.

I’ve built relationships with community groups and partners to expand our volunteer program. Witnessing volunteers enable the expert care we provide gives me immense fulfilment. I work to convey the culture and values of Sue Ryder so each volunteer feels empowered through their dedication. My role allows me to combine my passion for amplifying volunteers’ contributions with my skills to spread the goodness of supporting Sue Ryder's purpose.

claire.tupling@sueryder.org

I’ve had the pleasure of being part of the Sue Ryder family for the past five years. Working for this charity has been a fulfilling journey for me, offering a dual satisfaction of contributing to the organisation’s fundraising efforts while personally assisting incredible volunteers. My role extends beyond just raising funds; it involves empowering volunteers, boosting their confidence, and sharing in the joy of their employment successes.

In the summer of 2023, I took on the role of Volunteer Coordinator for Region 2, and it has been a truly rewarding experience. I thrive on motivating and inspiring managers to lead exceptional teams of volunteers. For me, volunteers are the backbone, heart, and soul of the charity. Their dedication is what makes our mission possible, and I am grateful to witness their impact every day.

Being part of such an incredible charity is a blessing, and I genuinely believe in the ethos of doing what you can for the person in front of you. Let’s continue making a positive difference together!

gemma.rose@sueryder.org

I’ve been with Sue Ryder almost seven years. I initially joined as an ASM covering two shops then moved on to be a SM & Cluster Manager in Cavendish, the first Sue Ryder shop which was a lot of fun.

I meet new shop managers and help them settle in to their shops and train them on all things to do with volunteering, making sure they have everything that they need and the tools to support our volunteers in store. I help to recruit and promote volunteering with us through lots of different channels, like meeting with colleges and universities to encourage people to volunteer with us whilst studying, working with the council to encourage marginalised communities to join us, jobcentres to encourage those looking to work to gain experience and training with us, I also meet with volunteer centres to shout about our opportunities in their area.

I mostly enjoy meeting new people at volunteer events or fairs, getting to know them and being able to place them in one of our shops, I enjoy seeing the journey they have from perhaps being a little bit anxious about volunteering to really finding their feet with us. I also enjoy getting out and meeting the volunteers we already have in our shops and finding out what they enjoy about the role and finding out why they joined us. The area I work in at the moment is doing really well, we have more volunteers continuing to join us. There is a great sense from the managers that they want to build on the community feel that they have in their shops and to encourage more diversity in their teams.

Our Volunteer and Befriending Coordinators are spread across the country supporting volunteers in every way possible. Coordinators are responsible for making sure every volunteer has an inclusive and impactful volunteering experience with us.

They lead the day-to-day administration and support of large teams of volunteers and their activities; recognising individual strengths and effectively deploying volunteers into roles that will meet the needs of the charity. Coordinators are often the first port of call for volunteers; they help manage individual challenges that arise, celebrate successes and make sure volunteers feel like a valued part of the charity. They bring a wealth of skills, enthusiasm and dedication to the team.

• Andy Longden Volunteer Coordinator, Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice andy.longden@sueryder.org
• Patricia Fleming Befriending Coordinator, Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice patricia.fleming@sueryder.org
• Katie Holmes Volunteer Coordinator, Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice katie.holmes@sueryder.org
• Donna Pople Befriending Coordinator, Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice donna.pople@sueryder.org
• Amanda Dean Volunteer Coordinator, Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice and West Berkshire Community Hospital amanda.dean@sueryder.org

If you have any general volunteering questions or enquiries, please call the Volunteering team on 0808 164 4572 or email them at volunteering@sueryder.org