Elaine's Story

Elaine, one of our retail volunteers at the Langley store, talks about why she volunteers for Thames Hospice.

Local resident, Elaine, started volunteering at the Langley store in August 2019. That decision to volunteer has now become an important part of her world.

Elaine had been visiting the store for a while when she noticed the poster advertising for volunteers to sign up. The decision to join, however, wasn’t immediate. Elaine explains: “Volunteering is a commitment, and I didn’t want to feel tied down to something, especially after retiring and caring for my parents.”

But after her parents passed away, Elaine felt the need to give back. “I thought it would be nice to get out and help without the pressure of it feeling like work,” she says with a smile. The decision was easy after meeting Jonathan, manager at the store, who shared a warmth that resonated with her.

Elaine added: “Both my in-laws were cared for in hospices and I saw first-hand how much the care costs and how much it means to the families involved.

“My mother-in-law was cared for at home during the pandemic before she passed away in 2020, with the Hospice team providing support. Two years later, my father-in-law was diagnosed with cancer and spent the last month of his life in a Hospice. Seeing how they were looked after... it made me want to help even more.”

Elaine really makes the most of volunteering. She adds: “The feeling of being part of a community is incredibly rewarding. I love that it’s a place where people can come together. You see the same faces every week—some simply stopping by for a bit of company. It’s something they look forward to.

“I like to stay busy, whether it’s sorting, steaming, or labelling items, there’s always something to do. And that’s what I enjoy.”

In addition to volunteering, Elaine has become known for her "post box toppers." A longtime knitter and crocheter, she started adorning the local post box with seasonal designs around three years ago. Elaine added: “It started at the end of my road, but once the flats were built, I moved to the one near the Hospice.” Her creations have included themes for Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Easter, and sunflowers in the summer.

The post box toppers have become a beloved fixture in the community, and Elaine takes pride in reusing materials and keeping things sustainable. “I like to reuse whatever I can, and if something fades too much, I recycle it into something new.”

Elaine would recommend volunteering as she explains: “It gives me a buzz. I feel like I’ve done something good, and I’ve been with some lovely people. You get a laugh, a cup of tea, and leave with a sense of accomplishment. It’s a feel-good factor.”