In addition to our Centre Manager, Caroline McGibney, another member of our team who makes sure our Centre runs well is our Head of Volunteers, Janice Rees. She joined us as a volunteer six years ago and then, after the pandemic, she took on the role of co-ordinating our volunteers.
Janice first heard about Pickering when her community choir held an end-of-term concert to raise funds for us.
“After 30 years working in the City, I had retired and was on the lookout for an opportunity to volunteer,” says Janice. “Having heard some words about Pickering after the concert, it was like a lightbulb moment. I introduced myself to the team and was invited in for a visit.”
She continues: “I wasn’t sure what to expect but there was such a warm environment and a lovely atmosphere. Of course, some days we hear sad stories but the beauty of this place is that there is often laughter and everyone here is so willing to help each other.”
“Two things really stand out to me about Pickering – sometimes seeing how nervous and anxious somebody can be when they first walk in and then seeing their shoulders drop and relief in their face after being here. And, just how wonderfully our visitors support each other. Very often somebody will say they are anxious about a particular treatment or next step and another visitor will give them some reassurance.”
Janice sorts the rota on a month-by-month basis, making sure there are enough volunteers each day and they are a good mixture of experienced and newer volunteers. There are currently 21 volunteers, of whom 13 currently have a regular slot and eight provide bank cover. Janice finds out availability of the regular volunteers before co-ordinating with those providing cover, when she knows how many slots need to be filled.
Janice is also the first person most potential new volunteers will meet.
“After an initial contact – maybe a phone call or email – then I’ll invite them in for a chat to find out about them and also tell them more about what we do at the Centre,” she explains. “If they still feel it’s something they’d like to explore further, then they will come in for a trial session to see the Centre ‘in action’.”
One of our latest volunteers is a gentleman, who initially discovered the Centre while supporting a family member.
“He has fitted in so well to our team and it’s lovely for our male visitors to have another gentleman to chat to,” adds Janice.