Nuala Demetriou - Why I volunteer on reception at Saint Francis Hospice

When John was diagnosed with dementia in 2012, Nuala gave up her job to care for her beloved Pops at home. In 2019, John’s health deteriorated and the Hospice at Home team at Saint Francis cared for John and his family in the final two weeks of his life. Here Nuala shares why volunteering as a receptionist at the hospice is now an important part of her life.

I wanted to volunteer as a way of saying thank you for the love, care and support that was not only shown to my darling Pops, but to me and my mum as well. 

I was in the hospice bubble after my dad passed away and I wanted to volunteer straight away, but I remember Julie White, one of the wonderful ladies from Hospice at Home, telling me to leave it until 18 months because I wouldn’t be ready. She was so right as it took me 4 years!

In 2023 I was asked to share my story in an interview with the hospice’s patron, the television presenter Richard Madeley, as part of a fundraising appeal. Speaking about my dad again made me realise the time was right. Shortly afterwards I applied to become a volunteer. I didn’t mind what role I did but was put forward to work on reception and completed 3 weeks of training before I started.

I have been volunteering since January 2024, and most recently have started working the Friday evening shift and I love it. When you have been in the shoes of the families and loved ones that you meet and talk to, you can understand what they are going through. I have time to listen to people, and I know they appreciate that.

I remember telling a friend I was going to start volunteering at the hospice and she said, “won’t it be depressing?” I said, “No!” It can be emotional, and some people do pull at your heart, but it is not a sad environment. It is a happy place and it gives hope and comfort to people and their loved ones.  

I see people go home after being cared for on the ward and some people do die at the hospice, but they will have the best comfort and care around them. 

The hospice is a comfort blanket that wraps its arms around people. Even though I do not have mum and dad, I still have those arms around me.  

While I am giving back to the hospice, the hospice gives me so much more.