From Grief to Giving: Alyson's Inspiring Journey from Hospice Visitor to Volunteer

Alyson’s journey with East Lancashire Hospice first started when her son-in-law Lee, aged 38, died from bowel cancer at the hospice.

After making craft mementoes with her grandchildren as part of the hospice’s Creative Connections service, Alyson decided to volunteer and support the Creative and Supportive Therapies (CaST) team.

She said: “I looked after my grandchildren a lot while Lee was at the hospice. Liz, who ran CaST used to open up on a Saturday especially for the children so that they could do crafts and make little mementoes. I didn’t know this kind of activity existed at the hospice.”

When the children went to school, Alyson was invited to volunteer – and she has been running weekly craft sessions ever since.

Speaking about her introduction to the hospice, Alyson shared: “East Lancashire Hospice was so helpful. The grandchildren still remember playing in the hospice gardens and they created a lot of positive memories at East Lancashire Hospice. The hospice had a big impact on helping a young family and helped us come to terms with Lee’s death.”

“Volunteering makes you feel like you’ve achieved something. Patients might come in one day and not be in a great place, but they leave laughing and joking. People can be themselves, whatever they’re going through.” said Alyson.

Alyson, a former special needs teacher, lives on a farm and learnt to needlefelt during lockdown. Now, she picks up the fleece from the field, washes it, cards it and brings it into the hospice for the patients to use to make their own creations.

“None of the patients had done needlefelt before and now they’re obsessed with it! It’s great stress relief.” shared Alyson.

Speaking about volunteering at the CaST sessions, Alyson said: “It’s something I look forward to each week. I love crafting. I look forward to seeing people and having a laugh. I enjoy coming to East Lancashire Hospice! A lot of the people who attend the CaST sessions live alone, so these sessions provide them with company. They become friends and check up on one another.”

For more information on our Creative and Support Therapies service or for details regarding volunteering, please contact our friendly team by calling 01254 965830 or emailing info@eastlancshospice.org.uk