Having a young family hasn’t stopped Leah from getting her weekly ‘fix’ at Mary Potter Hospice.
After her parents died, Leah wanted to give something back to the Hospice. She started at the Porirua Hospice op shop.
“Dave who runs the shop is amazing, kind and appreciative. I worked there until I had my second child. When I was heavily pregnant, he would give me jobs that accommodated that. They work with you.”
After she had her second baby she started driving people to the day unit.
“I pick people up and bring them to the day unit. I come home and spend time with the baby, then I pick them back up and take them home. I have the baby in the car seat. They love him.”
Leah thinks having a baby helps to break the ice with patients who are new to the group.
“When you’ve got a baby there, I feel people are different. They’ll approach you. Babies are a good distraction.”
Leah says that the volunteering can be enjoyed by the whole-family. Her 7 year old son occasionally goes to the Hospice on family days or school holidays, happily wearing a mask to keep people safe. Her husband also supports her where he can.
“If I didn’t have my family’s support and love for Mary potter hospice too, it would be a lot harder to do.”
“Volunteering for the Hospice gives more meaning to life.“
-Leah
“Someone asked me why do you keep volunteering for Mary Potter? It’s genuinely because the people that I drive for are truly grateful. I might be doing something incredibly small or insignificant to me, but it means the world to them. They light up every time I go.”
Leah recommends volunteering, especially if you are wanting to give back to the Hospice after the death of a family member.
It was when her dad was at the Hospice that Leah realised how important volunteers are.
“My dad had pets to come and visit, and people who served tea and coffee. Almost everyone at the day unit is a volunteer who does it out of the kindness of their heart.”
“I had to wait until I was emotionally ready but I think it helps your grief. They are happy, kind hearted people at the Hospice. Being around that is infectious!”
If you’re keen to join Leah and volunteer at Mary Potter Hospice, we’d love to hear from you! Check out our volunteer vacancies online, or get in touch with us if you’d like to get involved but your preferred role isn’t currently listed online.