Dominic's story

After a year of retirement, Dominic was looking for a meaningful way to give back to his local community. His search led him to Thames Hospice, a decision shaped by both personal passion and a touching experience close to home.

“I wanted to find something where I could be useful,” Dominic explained. “I’ve always had a fascination with vinyl records - collecting, playing, and learning about them - ever since the days of Radio Luxembourg and browsing through Woolworths or Our Price. Those were the days!”

When Dominic mentioned this lifelong hobby to a friend who worked with Thames Hospice, he was pleasantly surprised to learn that his niche interest could be put to good use. The Hospice’s eBay department regularly received donations of vinyl records, and Dominic’s expertise would be a perfect fit.

But his motivation to volunteer wasn’t just about music. “A close friend of one of my sons received hospice care,” he shared. “It was an extraordinarily difficult time, but Thames Hospice made it more manageable for everyone involved.”

Now, Dominic spends his time sorting through generous donations, looking for hidden musical gems. “It’s great to go in and carefully sift through the records people have donated,” he said. “You never know what you might find, sometimes there’s a real treasure waiting to be discovered.”

He recalls one particularly special find: “It was a limited release album from nearly fifty years ago,” Dominic said. “It came in black or, more rarely, blue vinyl but because it was still sealed, we couldn’t tell which version it was. It ended up selling for several hundred pounds. A real find!”

Beyond the records themselves, Dominic values the camaraderie of the volunteer team. “We’re a group of like-minded people, each with our own interests, and every day brings something different,” he said. “The team take great care of us, there’s always coffee, biscuits, and plenty of good company.”

For Dominic, the experience has been both rewarding and enriching. “It feels good to know that what we’re doing helps the community while also letting me pursue something I love,” he reflected. “It’s the perfect blend of passion and purpose.”