Volunteer for Charity
Do something amazing and volunteer for charity. It’s a fact that without the selfless commitment of our incredible volunteers we simply wouldn’t be able to do what we do.
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Their willingness to throw themselves into life at CancerCare enables us to concentrate on doing what we do best – helping people across Lancaster, Morecambe, Kendal and Barrow. Could you volunteer for charity?
Our volunteers bring their life experience and skills to bear in a range of roles including manning the reception desk, driving clients to appointments and helping oversee events such as the Cross Bay Walk.
Ask them, and our volunteers will say that helping out at CancerCare is a great way to make new friends, gain new experiences and give something back to the local community.
We are always looking for help and would love to hear from you whatever level of commitment you are willing volunteer from a day a week to an odd couple of hours as and when.
Watch the video below to see what Sally-Ann, who is a volunteer receptionist at our Kendal centre, gets out of it:
Meet the Volunteers - Ann: Receptionist at Kendal
Name: Ann Foster
Hometown: Kendal
Occupation: Retired
What is your volunteering role at CancerCare?
Receptionist at the Kendal Centre
How long have you been doing it?
13/14yrs
Why did you decide to become a volunteer at CancerCare?
My son had stage 3 cancer over 20 years ago and his treatment, that should have taken six months, took over a year. CancerCare was a big cushion for me giving me counselling and aromatherapy which helped me get my head round it. So, when I realised I could give something back I was delighted. I love being a volunteer receptionist and the icing on the cake is that my son and his wife had a baby girl 14 months ago. Because of his treatment he was told he probably wouldn’t have children. It just goes to show we should never give up.
What does your role involve doing?
Answering the phone sending emails, sorting the washing, tumble dryer and dishwasher. Opening up if doing an early shift or closing if I’m the last out. But the nicest part is meeting and greeting the clients - I feel I can empathise a little with them although I wouldn’t dream of saying that to them.
What do you enjoy about volunteering at CancerCare?
Meeting the clients, for sure
Have you encountered any challenges during your time? How did you overcome them?
If I have any challenges I turn to members of staff and if they are not available then one of the team at Lancaster.
What would you say to someone thinking about becoming a volunteer?
Give it a try it’s so rewarding if it’s not for you at least you’ve tried. It makes you feel so good I don’t think you would give it up.
Hometown: Kendal
Occupation: Retired
What is your volunteering role at CancerCare?
Receptionist at the Kendal Centre
How long have you been doing it?
13/14yrs
Why did you decide to become a volunteer at CancerCare?
My son had stage 3 cancer over 20 years ago and his treatment, that should have taken six months, took over a year. CancerCare was a big cushion for me giving me counselling and aromatherapy which helped me get my head round it. So, when I realised I could give something back I was delighted. I love being a volunteer receptionist and the icing on the cake is that my son and his wife had a baby girl 14 months ago. Because of his treatment he was told he probably wouldn’t have children. It just goes to show we should never give up.
What does your role involve doing?
Answering the phone sending emails, sorting the washing, tumble dryer and dishwasher. Opening up if doing an early shift or closing if I’m the last out. But the nicest part is meeting and greeting the clients - I feel I can empathise a little with them although I wouldn’t dream of saying that to them.
What do you enjoy about volunteering at CancerCare?
Meeting the clients, for sure
Have you encountered any challenges during your time? How did you overcome them?
If I have any challenges I turn to members of staff and if they are not available then one of the team at Lancaster.
What would you say to someone thinking about becoming a volunteer?
Give it a try it’s so rewarding if it’s not for you at least you’ve tried. It makes you feel so good I don’t think you would give it up.
Meet the Volunteers - Marilyn: Driver at Lancaster
Name: Marilyn Kenyon
Hometown: Warton, Carnforth
Occupation: Retired
What is your volunteering role at CancerCare? Driver
How long have you been doing it? 4 years
Why did you decide to become a volunteer at CancerCare?
After having a mastectomy back in 2009, I was referred to CancerCare for therapies. As I was unable to drive myself at the time, someone would come to pick me up, take me to Slynedales and bring me home again. I was so very grateful not only for the treatment I received, but also for the transport when I was unable to drive. I always told myself that when I retired, I would become a volunteer driver; and so I did. I also love driving which helps!
What does your role involve doing?
Picking up clients from their homes, driving them to Slyndales and driving them back home after their therapy.
What do you enjoy about volunteering at CancerCare?
It may sound a cliché, but I really enjoy helping people, and if I can put them at ease, then I feel I’ve played my part.
Have encountered any challenges during your time? How did you overcome them?
No
What would you say to someone thinking about becoming a volunteer?
I think to be a CancerCare volunteer, you have to like meeting people and for me personally, to want to help.
Hometown: Warton, Carnforth
Occupation: Retired
What is your volunteering role at CancerCare? Driver
How long have you been doing it? 4 years
Why did you decide to become a volunteer at CancerCare?
After having a mastectomy back in 2009, I was referred to CancerCare for therapies. As I was unable to drive myself at the time, someone would come to pick me up, take me to Slynedales and bring me home again. I was so very grateful not only for the treatment I received, but also for the transport when I was unable to drive. I always told myself that when I retired, I would become a volunteer driver; and so I did. I also love driving which helps!
What does your role involve doing?
Picking up clients from their homes, driving them to Slyndales and driving them back home after their therapy.
What do you enjoy about volunteering at CancerCare?
It may sound a cliché, but I really enjoy helping people, and if I can put them at ease, then I feel I’ve played my part.
Have encountered any challenges during your time? How did you overcome them?
No
What would you say to someone thinking about becoming a volunteer?
I think to be a CancerCare volunteer, you have to like meeting people and for me personally, to want to help.
Meet the Volunteers - Gwyn: Receptionist at Lancaster
Name: Gwyneth Chesters
Hometown: Carnforth
Occupation:
Retired Deputy Head Teacher.
What is your volunteering role at CancerCare?
I volunteer as a Receptionist at Slynedales and Morecambe when required.
How long have you been doing it?
Since July 2021
Why did you decide to become a volunteer at CancerCare?
I had breast cancer in 2018 and received a great deal of support from Cancercare. I retired from teaching and decided to give whatever support I could, back to Cancercare.
What does your role involve doing?
I answer the ‘phones and answer queries and signpost clients accordingly. I greet clients when they arrive at Slynedales for therapy. I also help with the weekly 'hug in a mug' meetings by baking cakes.
What do you enjoy about volunteering at CancerCare?
I enjoy the contact with clients, some of whom may be feeling vulnerable or anxious about attending for therapy sessions. Having had cancer and therapy myself, I am able to reassure and support the clients with understanding and empathy.
Have you encountered any challenges during your time? How did you overcome them?
Mastering the phone system and transferring calls was a challenge at the beginning, but asking others for help, meant that this was quickly resolved.
Can you think of any personal highlights that particularly stick out?
It’s great to 'check in' an anxious, worried client, make them a cup of tea and spend a few minutes chatting to them, so that they are more confident and reassured when they go off for therapy. This is definitely a highlight of the volunteering role.
What would you say to someone thinking about becoming a volunteer?
Definitely, give it a go.
Hometown: Carnforth
Occupation:
Retired Deputy Head Teacher.
What is your volunteering role at CancerCare?
I volunteer as a Receptionist at Slynedales and Morecambe when required.
How long have you been doing it?
Since July 2021
Why did you decide to become a volunteer at CancerCare?
I had breast cancer in 2018 and received a great deal of support from Cancercare. I retired from teaching and decided to give whatever support I could, back to Cancercare.
What does your role involve doing?
I answer the ‘phones and answer queries and signpost clients accordingly. I greet clients when they arrive at Slynedales for therapy. I also help with the weekly 'hug in a mug' meetings by baking cakes.
What do you enjoy about volunteering at CancerCare?
I enjoy the contact with clients, some of whom may be feeling vulnerable or anxious about attending for therapy sessions. Having had cancer and therapy myself, I am able to reassure and support the clients with understanding and empathy.
Have you encountered any challenges during your time? How did you overcome them?
Mastering the phone system and transferring calls was a challenge at the beginning, but asking others for help, meant that this was quickly resolved.
Can you think of any personal highlights that particularly stick out?
It’s great to 'check in' an anxious, worried client, make them a cup of tea and spend a few minutes chatting to them, so that they are more confident and reassured when they go off for therapy. This is definitely a highlight of the volunteering role.
What would you say to someone thinking about becoming a volunteer?
Definitely, give it a go.
