A team made up of volunteers from HM Revenue & Customs, Department for Work & Pensions and Office of the Public Guardian, spent half a day at the Nottinghamshire Hospice, which looks after day patients with a prognosis of less than 12 months. The event provided patients, their family and carers with access to a range of advice.
Helen and Rhian from DWP said, “We were shown around the hospice, which is a grand building with beautiful features and extensive gardens. We were able to spend time and advise a volunteer counsellor who supports patients and their families during this very difficult period, a fabulous, funny lady who advised us as much as we did her! A lot of the people we saw had concerns over what happens now, but also what happens after and if our chat with them lasted 5 or 50 minutes, each time we visibly saw it was worthwhile and had made a difference".
Rhian added "Helen and I both feel very humble and proud when we represent DWP at the Nottingham Hospice. The staff and volunteers are so welcoming and grateful to us for our advice and us giving our time. The job they do and the care they provide is so comprehensive and dedicated that we are actually thankful to them, for allowing us to come and do just a little to help them in some way”.
Jeanette, the Bereavement and Carer Support Manager at the hospice said, “I wanted to thank you, and everyone who helped on the day last week, again. Having the help and support all together makes such a difference. I wanted to share some comments from the people who came along”.
Brilliant support, well worth coming
DWP lady has taken away most of my worry now
Thank you for having today, it’s hard enough coping with this illness without having to worry about forms, I feel so much better now
I think I can fill in my forms now (OPG) I was too scared before
The tax people are actually nice aren’t they?
Is there a hospice near you which could benefit from this sort of help? You too can make a real difference. If you can volunteer a few hours of your time, to support people who are experiencing a really difficult situation, please email Alison Enever would like to hear from you.