Two years ago Jenny saw an advertisement on the Volunteer Wellington website for drivers to take patients to the new Mary Potter Hospice Porirua day unit.
She applied and committed to a morning a fortnight. Since then, because she loved it so much, she has increased to weekly driving and also spends an extra half day a week coordinating the full team of drivers to ensure that all the patients can get to the group.
“Susi, the day unit coordinator put out an SOS for someone to coordinate drivers. So I said, ‘I can do that.’ I make sure that the guests have a driver so that they can get here to the day unit.”
Jenny says that the people who attend the day unit love it, and it’s a chance for everyone to connect and learn.
“It’s been a privilege to be part of it all. They are just like friends now. We see the ones that pass away which is sad, but we know we’ve been there to bring some positive aspects to their lives.”
Since day one Jenny has been driving Irene to the day unit.
“One day I was driving her home and she said she hadn’t been on Transmission Gully so we went for a drive. We kept going and had a coffee in Otaki!”
Jenny’s mum was heavily involved in the early days of Te Omanga, working in the kitchen.
“But she was more than that, she would chat to people, and she would take my daughter who would put the flowers on the trays to go to the beds. Hospice has been a big part of our lives.
“When I told my son and daughter that I had this role at Mary Potter Hospice, my daughter said that Gran would be very proud.
“It feels like it was meant to happen.”
“Volunteering at the Hospice is so good for your state of mind. It’s an honour and a privilege really.”
“We always have some good laughs, which is important. Everyone is so welcoming and friendly. It’s a special breed of people who work in a hospice.”
Thank you to our amazing volunteers who work with our patients, families and whānau, keep our shops operating and support our staff behind the scenes. Your time, skills, experience, fundraising and passion supports Mary Potter Hospice to offer our valuable services free of charge.
If you are interested in volunteering for Mary Potter Hospice, we’d love to hear from you! View our current volunteer vacancies here, or email volunteer@marypotter.org.nz with your enquiry.