Volunteer news- April 2025

From Paul McCrystal, Transport Volunteer Co-ordinator

Well its been a blast. I came to LOROS in 2017 as a Bank Project Officer after a difficult redundancy from my previous employer. I began my LOROS experience helping to commission the LOROS Local, and then setting up a selection of locations it could work out of. This was a super time and a bit of a lifeline for me. I shared offices with some amazing people and had a great social life in and out of LOROS. I then went on to drive the LOROS Local around Leicestershire and Rutland but I enjoyed the experience less and less. I then got the opportunity to become a Volunteer Co-ordinator looking after patient transport and all the volunteer drivers. I’ve loved every minute of this role, working closely with the Day Therapy Team and all the clinical co-ordinators. 

Without doubt though the best thing about my job has been my relationship with all of the volunteer drivers. I’ve never needed a formal appraisal as feedback has always been direct, immediate and occasionally justified! I mean it’s easy to confuse Market Bosworth with Market Harborough and yes I rang a few drivers in Tenerife, Madeira, Majorca and Greece! They all sounded pleased to hear from me though! 

I can honestly say that the drivers have never let me down or their patients. Much of what they do goes unnoticed; the simple things they do for patients, picking up prescriptions, taking them home via the Co-op, as well as the extraordinary lengths some of them go to help meet the dying wishes of patients at the end of life. I have witnessed some breath-taking acts of kindness that are simply shrugged off. It is such a tonic to work amongst such lovely people and I genuinely feel privileged to have had such an experience at the end of my working career. 

So a big thank you to everyone I have worked with. My plan is to take the summer off and return in some volunteering guise when the rain starts again. So this is definitely ‘Au Revoir’.

Lots of love Paul x

You would have received a separate communication via email about Rob’s weekly briefings hosted online via Microsoft Teams. These briefings will be every Wednesday from 12-1pm where you will have a chance to learn more about the financial challenges we face as a charity. We would like to encourage all volunteers to join and if you are struggling to access links online, you are welcome to join us at the hospice where we will provide access to the live sessions in the Twycross room at the Centre of Excellenc, every Wednesday from 12-1pm. 

In the meantime, please feel welcome to discuss and share any thoughts within your department, our volunteering team or with a member of the senior leadership team.

Meet Asmita from our Uppingham Road furniture shop! 

After a bit of a recruitment drive for our Uppingham Road furniture shop, Area Manager, Qarisma Osman  said:

“Asmita is always really positive, she is willing to help with anything. She is fantastic with the customers and is super smiley. Whenever I have done a move, she is the first to ask if I need any help and chips in. She comes in regularly and always on time. She gives us plenty of notice if she books a holiday and is willing to help out when we are short staffed too."

Qarisma also added that Uppingham Road furniture shop hasn’t had any new volunteers for almost 6 months, but in the last few months they have managed to also recruit Jaydipa and Liam. This will make a huge difference to the shop and the team would like to send a big welcome to their new volunteers and a big thank you to the existing volunteers that have worked so hard in keeping the shop open and stocked. Well done everyone! 

Other news

Our Area Managers, Fiona Knapp and SJ Waites and Qarisma Osman would also like to highlight the fantastic work Sarah Sellears, the shop manager at Welford Road Furniture shop has achieved for  managing to recruit and retain her 10 volunteers! 

Jane, one of our volunteers at our Wigston shop, has been so helpful by sorting through almost 10 bags of clothing for us in only a few hours. Jane also managed to tag, price and put all the items out. She has been a real asset to the Wigston team. 

A big thank you to Baz, Carl and Mike and all the team at the Spiral Scratch store who have all really stepped up when Shop Manager, Matt, was on annual leave. The volunteer team made sure the shop ran smoothly, a reflection of amazing team work. 

Our Oadby volunteers have moved across to help out at our Pullman Road shop whilst the Oadby shop is closed. This has been a fantastic support. Thank you for coming together as a team! 

We would also like to thank Julie, a volunteer in our Hamilton shop. The shop had run out of scarf hangers and Julie solved this problem by hanging the scarves on bangles - such a genius idea! 

Lastly, we sadly remember our volunteer, Sharon Stewart who passed away in February this year. We would like to send our condolences to all the Devonshire Square shop staff and volunteers who worked with Sharon. Her funeral was held on the 20th March, where the whole team were able to attend and pay their respects, she will be sadly missed by everyone.  

We are always looking for further opportunities for volunteers to receive more face to face training and we have a variety of dates to attend Equity and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) training. We encourage you to book a place and take part in some interesting conversations. The sessions will last for one hour and be interactive - it would be good to see as many volunteers as possible attending.

Wednesday 9th April @10.30am in Seminar Room 1

Wednesday 30th April @10.30am in Seminar Room 1

There will be more sessions in future months and they will be offered across different times and all weekdays (weekend or late sessions can also be arranged if there is demand). Spaces are limited for each session so please email Jackie Newcombe as soon as possible to request a place and she will confirm if there is space available.

In the meantime, If you have any questions about the training or concerns and issues in attending, please reach out to Jackie directly.

You may receive some information from our volunteering team about training over the next few months. We are updating all of our volunteer records and notice that some volunteers are due to receive a refresher in certain modules. Please keep a look out in your email inbox and give the volunteer team a shout if you have any queries or need any additional support to complete the training.

We are looking for additional volunteers in the following areas. You may be doing a lot already but please share with family and friends who may be interested in joining our volunteer team! 

Join the Tusk Force!

Are you looking to get involved in something innovative and exciting this summer? We are looking for some ele-fantastic volunteers to join the herd!

We have a range of volunteering opportunities to get involved in from looking after our precious elephants, providing key information to the public about our trail and supporting at some of our events. Whatever it is you’re interested in getting involved in, there’s something for everyone. Even better, it’s an opportunity to boost your CV and gain new skills and experiences!

Are you feeling inspired to join the Tusk Force? Visit stomproundleicester.co.uk/volunteering to find out more and register your interest or get in touch with us at volunteers@loros.co.uk

• Bag packers and charity tins collectors 

We are looking for volunteers from all over the county to help collect tins from businesses and shops and replace with empty tins. 

• Bereavement Support Volunteers needed in Market Harborough 

Making a huge difference to those who are grieving for a loved one by listening and empathising with their loss. It enables LOROS to have a wider reach in the community and to demonstrate its values around care and compassion. 

• Home visiting volunteers needed in Coalville 

Supporting the emotional and mental welfare of patients and their family in their homes is a vital part of this role. Home visiting volunteers provide companionship and support as well as respite for carers. 

• Event Scratch Card and Raffle Ticket Seller 18+ 

We have many fundraising events planned for the year and LOROS Lotteries provide a regular and stable source of income for the Hospice. The weekly LOROS Lottery, ‘Support and Win’ scratch cards and seasonal raffles all support Hospice care. 

• Café Volunteers 

We are still looking for volunteers to help to keep the café open over the weekend, having a warm drink and refreshments is essential to visitors visiting loved ones on our ward. 

• Mascot performer 

Fancy getting into costume and being Lionel our Mascot? We have many fun events in the community and schools and need volunteers to fill the costume! 

• School assembly speakers 

Are you an enthusiastic speaker that can engage with young people? We need volunteers to help us get out into the community talking to the next generation about hospice care and how to support us.  

• Retail volunteers needed  

Uppingham Road Furniture shop, Hamilton and out This + That store 

Our volunteers are essential to the running of our shops, its fun and an opportunity to meet people- no day is the same! 

• Polytunnel volunteers 

With spring and summer approaching, we have opportunities for people to join us in the Polytunnel- growing vegetables that are used in our kitchens to prepare delicious meals that make their way onto the patient wards. We also need volunteers to join our Gardeners helping to maintain the beautiful grounds around the hospice! 

Events

Sunday 4th May

2pm – 6pm

Sutton Bonington Campus LE12 5RD  – SB FEST

Celebrating its 10th Anniversary, SB FEST is an annual event dedicated to celebrating all things Sutton Bonington. This festival is open to the public to come and enjoy live music, dog shows, entertainment, a farmers market, food vendors, beer tents and much more. This event starts at 2pm and runs until 11pm, its such a great day out. We are looking for two volunteers to come along and help out with a stall until around 6pm. You must have your own transport. You will be assisting a member of the fundraising team to set up from 1pm. You will need to be enthusiastic and encourage a wide age range to be involved in either LOROS games or tombola.

Saturday 17th May 2025

10am – 3pm

Mowmacre Hill Primary School LE4 2NG – Community Fun Day

We are looking for a couple of enthusiastic volunteers to hold a stall which will offer the public to take part in fun table top games. Volunteers will need to be confident in talking to children of all ages and to encourage them to take part in games. Arrival time to set up is 9am and all equipment will need to be collected from the Hospice either the Thursday or Friday before the event. A float will be available for the day. Once the event is finished all money and equipment must be returned to the Hospice.

Saturday 7th June 2025

10am – 3pm

Parkland Primary School LE18 4TA – Community Fun Day

We are looking for a couple of enthusiastic volunteers to hold a stall which will offer the public to take part in fun table top games. Volunteers will need to be confident in talking to children of all ages and to encourage them to take part in games. Arrival time to set up is 9am and all equipment will need to be collected from the Hospice either the Thursday or Friday before the event. A float will be available for the day. Once the event is finished all money and equipment must be returned to the Hospice.

Last week we had volunteers join us for a chat over cuppa, it was a chance for people to learn more about what their fellow volunteers did and hear fascinating stories about each of their journeys to LOROS. Pauline, one of our Polytunnel and retail volunteers said she really enjoyed the experience and hoped she could meet more volunteers helping to ‘knit us all together’. 

We hope you can join us for the next one on 1st May at the Hospice or on every first Thursday of each month in our café at the Centre for Excellence. As the group grows, we may look at other locations to allow greater flexibility for people to attend.  

Please confirm you are coming by emailing us at volunteers@loros.co.uk  (just to make sure we have enough biscuits)!  

Every Wednesday 12-1pm: MS teams sessions with Rob

30th April 10am -11.30am: Coffee with Rob and discussion about assisted dying and LOROS 

1st May 10am-12pm: Volunteers' cuppa at the Hospice