VOLUNTEERING FOR OVERGATE

 

The value placed upon our volunteers is immeasurable. On average volunteers give over 2000 hours of service each week to Overgate. Some volunteers have a regular commitment and others help on an occasional basis.  

We have over 700 volunteers who work alongside paid staff in the Hospice, our shops and at events.  In addition we have 3 Friends of Overgate Hospice groups who each have a team of willing volunteers helping at the events they organise.  However, we can never have too many so please register today.
 

Want to find out more?

There are a wide range of voluntary roles available at Overgate Hospice. We have a dedicated Volunteer Coordinator who can give you all the help and advice you need.

Volunteers are a vital part of the organisation. They provide an extra level of quality and care for patients, carers and their families and friends.

If you want to find out more about volunteering head to our FAQ section and you will see a list of all the most commonly asked questions.

If you still want to know more you can fill out our quick 'Show Interest' form via the button below and our Volunteer Coordinator will get in touch.
 

Chester's Volunteer Story

My first year as back walker was 2015. I was a bit nervous as I did not know what to expect so I opted to do the 6 mile walk. In 2016 I took on the longer walk of 12 miles. The following year an extra mile was added and I’ve continued to be the back walker for the 13 mile walk ever since.
Those at the tail-end of the walk get plenty of encouragement from me and someone to chat to if they are on their own, to help them get through the walk or to get as far as they possibly can. It can get lonely at the back, but my aim is to make sure everybody gets back and nobody is left behind.

My first year of doing the longer walk saw me arriving back at North Bridge at 6.40am as the sun was starting to rise. People must be getting fitter or my words of encouragement are getting better as each year it seems to get quicker! In 2019 I arrived back at 5.30am, which was a record time!
Seeing the marshals and hearing their words of encouragement also helps get us all around the route and when I tell them that I’m the back marker and they can stand down, the look of relief on their faces is priceless. What I love the most though is the welcome from the whole team and their cheers when they see me walking back into North Bridge. Warm drink, bacon butty, home time. Ready to go again the following year! 

Angela's Volunteer Story

In February 2007, my husband Nigel began to have problems with his eyesight. In the weeks that followed he made many trips to the doctors and opticians and got no answers until one day his eyesight worsened and he took himself to the hospital. In one phone call my whole world fell apart. At 39, Nigel was diagnosed with a very aggressive form of cancer. In the months that followed, he was in and out of hospital and I cared for him at home until it became too much and he was admitted to the Inpatient Unit at Overgate Hospice. Immediately he felt at home and I was able to get a good night’s sleep, knowing he was there and in good hands. It never felt awkward to be at the hospice and I was able to cry and be supported in a way that felt comfortable.
In the months following his death I struggled desperately. I didn’t want to live a life without Nigel in it. Eventually I reached out and began bereavement counselling at Overgate. To say this saved me would not be an exaggeration.
As I learnt to live a life without Nigel I knew I needed to live my life to the full. I began fundraising for the Hospice and was amazed by the support I received from my friends, family and the wider community, including many local businesses. I established the Brighouse Friends of Overgate group and massively appreciate their ongoing support; together we hold numerous fundraisers each year to support the Hospice. I volunteer in the Hospice’s Elland shop and love my time there. In 2014 I started volunteering on the Hospice reception. This kept me connected to the Hospice, seeing the families that were in their care each week meant that I always remembered where the money we raised went.
 

Chris Burrell's volunteering story

Over the Christmas 2023, thoughts turned to others who were not as fortunate as myself and family. Having lost a good friend over the summer, I thought it would be a good opportunity to give something back to those who need support and care in our local area.

Having supported Overgate over a number of years and after great feedback from my wife who volunteered a number of years ago, I visited the Overgate website and found it very easy to complete the form, and it was only a matter of days before I was asked to visit the hospice and talk to Sarah Page Head of Volunteer Services.

I was amazed at the number of opportunities there is to help at Overgate, and once Sarah knew that I had a construction background, it wasn’t long before I was enrolled into the Estates Team.

So far, I have helped David and Jeremy on the Elland Shop Re-Fit, also carrying out maintenance in the West Vale shop and in the Hospice. My latest task was building a Pig Racing Track ready for the Garden Party.

After working all over the UK for some big clients on prestigious projects, it is great to be back involved with people who care and are not afraid to show their enthusiasm and passion for what they do.