Hospice volunteers are quick to champion the benefits of volunteering and how rewarding it can be. Hospice retail volunteer, 20 year old Chantelle McNelis started volunteering in the Irvine shop in August 2017. 

She said: “Volunteering has given me the opportunity to contribute to the wonderful organisation that is the hospice, helping it to continue to offer its services to the people of Ayrshire.

 

"Before I started volunteering I was a really nervous person however, having been here for almost 10 months I now feel that I have developed my confidence and social understanding through being part of a supportive team and not to mention the general public.  It has made me a lot calmer and become a better listener. I love fashion and retail seemed like the obvious choice to express my interest and learn how to apply this to merchandising.

“To have been given the opportunity to gain experience in most of the retail operations I will continue to be grateful for and always appreciate.  Most of all my numerical skills have improved through the processing of sales transactions.

“All of the help and support that I have received whilst volunteering in the shop I know will help me to gain employment in the future.  This is my long term ambition.  The Irvine shop is such a warm and friendly place to be and I am so proud to be a part of it.”

Volunteering has given me the opportunity to contribute to the wonderful organisation that is the hospice