South Essex volunteers share how their work brings them joy

Charities across Basildon, Rayleigh and Southend have appealed for more people to step up to help keep them running in the future.

The British Heart Foundation (BHF) store in Rayleigh High Street needs volunteers to help them raise funds for life-saving heart research.

People are needed to help sorting donations, dealing with customers and also creating imaginative window displays.

Area manager Keely Huxham said: “Volunteering is a fantastic way to give back to your local community and be part of a fantastic team, whilst also helping us to raise vital funds into heart and circulatory diseases, such as stroke, diabetes and vascular dementia.

“Our volunteers have a huge impact on raising money through our shops and with your support we can keep hearts beating and blood flowing.”

The charity has shared the story of one of their existing volunteers, 67-year-old Maxine Sutcliffe.

She first started helping at a shop in Southend during a time in her life where she felt very isolated and was keen to get out of the house and meet new people.

Having always felt connected to the cause since her father and sister suffered from heart problems, Maxine loves the feeling of giving something back.

Helping out at the BHF also encouraged her to adopt a healthier lifestyle, inspiring her to get more active and lose five stone since she signed up to improve her heart health.

During her time at the Southend shop, Maxine has made new friends, learnt new skills and found a new sense of freedom.

Maxine said the shop team were also a great support to her when she tragically lost her father to heart disease.

She said: “I hope others in the area will consider the BHF as a place to volunteer as I enjoy every bit of it, and it can really help people through difficult times, as well as making a positive difference to the community.”

Southend Hospital is set to open a new charity shop in Southchurch by the end of the summer and needs people to help run it.

The new shop is at 573 Southchurch Road, a former hairdressers, and is next to the popular Zu dress and shoe store.

This will be the third charity shop opened by the hospital’s department of fundraising; the two others are in Hamlet Court Road, Westcliff and Broadway West, Leigh.

Both existing shops already have their own teams of long-established volunteers who work with a paid member of staff.

All profit goes towards helping Southend Hospital patients, with the shops raising tens of thousands of pounds a year.

One of those vital volunteers is Sylvia Holland, 73, from Leigh, who was one of the original group of volunteers who helped open the Westcliff shop back in April 2012.

The grandmother-of-one, who helps every Monday and Friday morning, has made good friends with her colleagues, extending to nights out and day trips to see a fellow helper who moved to another part of Essex.

She said: “I really enjoy it, they are a nice group of people and there is a a good atmosphere and it is pretty relaxed.

“It gives me a sense of purpose, and it’s a nice feeling knowing that the money raised is helping the patients.”

Jane O’Connell, the hospital’s voluntary services manager, said: “We are looking for chatty, friendly people, who have a bit of spare time, can commit to a regular slot, barring illness or holidays, and like to be part of a team.”

St Luke’s Hospice in Basildon, who care for people with life threatening and limiting illnesses, say volunteers are the backbone of their operations.

Heide Stone, volunteer co-ordinator, said: “Every single volunteer that we have is so valuable to us.

“It is a great way to make new friends, reduces social isolation, and also learn more about the healthcare sector – especially if you’re looking to gain work experience, or just need a reason to get up and out of the house in the morning.”

Visit www.bhf.org.uk and stlukeshospice.com to volunteer for BHF and St Lukes, and email volunteers@southend.nhs.uk for Southend Hospital.