Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice on Bostall Hill, Abbey Wood in South East London is calling for local people of all ages to join its friendly volunteer team.

The Hospice, a registered charity, offers specialist care and support to local people with a life-limiting illness.

In the last year alone, the Hospice supported over 2,500 local people and their families, friends and carers in the boroughs of Greenwich and Bexley.

“Our volunteers make a big difference to the quality of life of people who have a life-limiting illness,” said Vanessa Hill, Volunteers Manager at the Hospice. “We have all sorts of volunteer roles, with something to suit all abilities and availabilities.”

One such volunteer is 67-year-old Charlie Cowcher from Eltham who has been volunteering at the Hospice as a volunteer driver for the past five years. He devotes four hours a day, two days a week.

Describing a typical day, Charlie said: “I go to the patient’s house and I bring them to the hospice. I know it’s never going to be a miserable journey because they know they’re coming to a nice place. For new patients on the way to the hospice I tell them all about the day centre to reassure them. When we get to the hospice I make sure that my passengers get settled and I introduce them to people. I come back to pick them up and we chat all about the day on the way home. I make sure they’re safely in their houses before I say goodbye. I really enjoy this role, I like meeting new people and I have made some good friends.”

Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice has a dedicated team of almost 600 volunteers working in a variety of roles from charity shop work and fund-raising to working directly with patients and their families at the Hospice.

FOR MORE INFORMATION contact Vanessa Hill, Volunteers’ Manager on 020 8320 5812, email vanessahill@gbch.org.uk or visit www.communityhospice.org.uk