Meet Judith – Hospice volunteer

Judith joined the Cornwall Hospice Care team in 2000 as a hospice volunteer on the ward at our St Julia’s Hospice in Hayle.  We took some time with her away from the ward to find out what her background was, why she decided to give her gift of time to us and lots more.

What were you doing before you became a volunteer?

I spent 28 years in the City of London working at senior management level in human resources within investment banks.  My late husband and I came to Cornwall in 2000 to escape the pressures of corporate life. We bought a renovation project with land and spent 6 years developing it into a luxury B & B.  I entered MasterChef in 2000 and was a South West finalist! So with that behind me I was confident I wasn’t going to poison my guests and we offered dinner as well as B & B.

Sadly in May 2006, completely out of the blue, my husband was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.  He was one of the fittest people you could meet – ran marathons.  I nursed him at home as was his wish and he died on 1st September that year.

What inspired you to become a volunteer, and what do you get out of it?

My reason for wanting to volunteer and what I get out of volunteering is quite simple and really the same.  I just like to feel that I’m helping in some small way.  St. Julia’s is such a special place with the most wonderful, caring staff and it is a real privilege to be part of the team, albeit in a very minor way.

You can find out more about giving the gift of time on the Volunteer section of this website.

Find out more information about what the role of a Ward volunteer at one of our hospices involves by clicking here.