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Home > Get involved > Volunteer > Volunteer Stories >How did you start volunteering?
In 2005, when my 4 year old grand-daughter Abby was terminally ill with cancer in Yorkhill Hospital, my daughter and son-in-law were given accommodation at CLIC Sargent’s Cruachan House, to enable them to stay with Abby until she passed away.
While out for a walk in Prestwick after we lost Abby, I passed Malcolm Sargent House, saw the CLIC Sargent sign and asked at the House if they knew of a support group for bereaved grandparents. It was then that I met Dorothy, a bereavement counsellor. I started seeing Dorothy once a week and by this time I got to understand what a wonderful place Malcolm Sargent House was for families and asked if they could use another volunteer. I was delighted when they said yes and three years later (I can’t believe it’s passed so quickly!) I’m still there and enjoying every minute of it.
What does your role involve?
I volunteer as a housekeeper every Tuesday. This involves cleaning the bedrooms and bathrooms, doing the laundry and hoovering. I have also been ‘volunteered’ for singing at the karaoke nights and doing a mean Gay Gordon dance at the Ceilidh!
What motivates you to volunteer?
Losing my grand-daughter, who I looked after twice a week since she was 6 months old, left a void in my life. Having seen how much the families benefit from a stay at Malcolm Sargent House, I wanted to do anything I could to help. I often get the chance to speak to the families and I get a great deal of satisfaction seeing them enjoy the House as a family.
I can only speak for myself, but in the last three years, working at Malcolm Sargent House has given me a purpose. I feel I’m giving a little back to CLIC Sargent after the help they gave my daughter and son-in-law, but I have also made friends in the staff and fellow volunteers, and I look forward to helping out for as long as they need me.
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