To celebrate Volunteers Week, we're shining a spotlight on the people who generously give up their time to help others. Marcus works in our fundraising office and has been with us since 2018...
Marcus, how long have you been volunteering?
3.5 years
What volunteering do you do for Julia’s House?
I work as an Office Receptionist in the Poole Hospice Office answering the telephone and undertaking numerous activities, e.g. cleaning and refurbishing collection tins, counting money received from them, stuffing envelopes, updating records, scanning and archiving documents and generally helping out with anything that needs doing. I also go to the Corfe Mullen hospice itself performing similar admin tasks when needed. I also generally help out at fundraising events and give talks at cheque presentations.
Where did you first hear about Julia’s House?
The then Poole Council’s volunteering service.
Why did you decide to get involved?
I had retired, had time on my hands and wanted to put something back into the community and help make a difference.
What do you enjoy most about volunteering?
Helping such an amazing cause and being with such lovely people whether they be the children and families that Julia’s House support, Julia’s House staff, other volunteers, and supporters of Julia’s House.
Favourite/memorable moment from volunteering at Julia’s House?
The squeals of delight and joy not to mention the laughter from the children visiting the hospice is priceless. My favourite event was helping with the Sibling’s Christmas trip to Swanage pre-lockdown. There were just so many happy youngsters filled with so much happiness on the coach, as they played on the beach (despite it being mid-December!), having a fish and chip lunch and going on the Swanage Railway Santa Special. All of their parents were so appreciative as not only did it give the siblings some respite and a fun time but it meant that the parents could either dedicate time to their child(ren) in need or could leave their child(ren) at the hospice under the care of Julia’s House and have some quality time together.
What would you say to anyone who’s thinking of volunteering for us?
Please do it; you’ll get so much enjoyment and satisfaction working with warm, friendly and appreciative people while making such a difference to such a wonderful cause.
