News and blog

Tributes paid to Judie, a “remarkable” hospice volunteer of 30 years

Staff at Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice have paid tribute to a well-loved volunteer, Judith ‘Judie’ Allen, who passed away in September. She dedicated her time and skills for 30 years and through her countless hours of volunteering, supporting and fundraising, helped to raise an astonishing £300,000.

Hospice Care Week 2020: 98-year-old Sue Ryder volunteer hangs up her boots after 33 years

A 98-year-old volunteer is saying an emotional goodbye to the Sue Ryder shop in Cavendish after 33 years volunteering there. Renee Rowe began volunteering for the charity in 1987 and has been supporting Sue Ryder ever since, especially after her husband received end of life care at one of the hospices.

“There are so many elements of my job that I love.” Fern, Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice's Inpatient Unit Manager

After a variety of other nursing environments and more than a decade on from her first placement at Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice, Fern is now their IPU Manager. She describes her nursing and managerial responsibilities, as well as the challenges and joys of working in palliative care.

“I started at Thorpe Hall in March and obviously things have been very different to how they would normally be.” Caroline, Sue Ryder Nurse

Arriving at Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice in March 2020, Caroline has had a long and varied career in nursing and brings a wealth of experience to Sue Ryder. But nothing could have prepared her for the impact Covid-19 would have on our healthcare system.

Inspiring Wheatfields volunteer and fundraiser, Jean Piper, presented with special Sue Ryder award

Jean Piper’s husband Clive was cared for at Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice eleven years ago and Jean embarked on the ‘Dive for Clive’ skydive in his memory. Even when she herself was diagnosed with leukaemia she continued fundraising and volunteering in the Wheatfields shop, and it is that determination which saw her presented with the Sue Ryder Incredible Colleagues Award for Overcoming Obstacles last year.

Meet Mabel, St John’s Hospice’s latest volunteer and furry four-legged friend

Meet the latest volunteer at Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice – a loveable, furry, three year old Cockapoo called Mabel. Pets as Therapy dog Mabel started volunteering at the hospice last year and has proved to be a ‘pawsome’ pal to patients, relatives and staff. Here, Mabel’s owner and fellow volunteer Debra tells us about their experiences.

Year of the Nurse: Meet Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice's new Ward Manager Jacqui

For Year of the Nurse, where we celebrate the important work of our Sue Ryder Nurses, we begin by talking with Jacqui Ackroyd, who has been appointed St John's Hospice's new Developmental Ward Manager. “I am honoured to be a nurse and I am proud to work at Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice.”

'I honestly enjoy my job so much it doesn’t feel like going to work every day’

For Sharon Wotherspoon, it was the start of a whole new career when her children volunteered at their local Sue Ryder shop. That was six years ago and Sharon is now Shop Manager of Sue Ryder’s Mengham shop on Hayling Island.

“There’s no doubt about it: the level of care here at Sue Ryder is higher than anywhere I’ve ever nursed."

Sue Ryder supported Ann Whyte though her Return to Nurse Practice qualification and she is now working as a Registered Nurse at our Sue Ryder Dee View Court Neurological Centre in Aberdeen. She looks back over her 30-year career and explains why Sue Ryder is such a special place to work.

“My husband’s wish was to die at home. He wanted to be surrounded by his own things with his family and friends around him.”

Penny Jarvis’s husband Colin died in 2009, five years after he was first diagnosed with a rare degenerative brain disease. Penny was Colin’s main carer and he was able to die in his own home according to his wishes. Ten years on and Penny, a Nursing Assistant, now works as part of the Hospice at Home team at Sue Ryder South Oxfordshire Palliative Care Hub.

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