‘What I love most about volunteering is the company”.

Saint Francis Hospice volunteer today shares her experiences as volunteer at a local charity shop.

Florence recently celebrated volunteering for 10 years in her local Hospice charity shop in Hornchurch.

She said: “My husband Patrick was an inspector with the Metropolitan Police for 30 years and he used to run the police station in Harold Hill. When he became ill with cancer, Saint Francis Hospice was there for him until he died in 2007.

“Five years later, I walked into the Hornchurch shop to donate some of my husband’s clothes and the manager asked if I would be interested in volunteering. I said I’d think about it but I’d made up my mind before I got home.

“I volunteer every Friday and I help sort through all the donations that come into the shop and then price them up so they can be sold.

“What I love most is the company. My husband died 15 years ago so I’ve been on my own a long time. I don’t like staying indoors too much as when I am at home, I don’t know what to do with myself.

“Sandy also volunteers with me and we have become good friends over past five years. We have a good chat and a laugh and I really look forward to my day at the hospice.

“The hospice is a very special place. By volunteering, I really feel I am giving something back after all the care and support the hospice gave my family and I.

“There are so many reasons to volunteer. It helps to keep you active, keep in touch with other people and other people will look out for you too.

“And volunteering for a charity that gives so much to so many really boosts your confidence and sense of well-being.”

If you would like to volunteer, like Florence does, visit our website to sign up and find out more: https://www.sfh.org.uk/blog/volunteer.