Michael's story

Meet Michael

For the past six years, Michael has been a familiar and reassuring presence at the Hospice. He first joined as a volunteer driver, offering practical support to patients and families, before moving into a role within Inpatient Services.

Before volunteering, Michael spent 35 years working as cabin crew for British Airways, supporting and looking after customers. That same instinct to help others has shaped his approach at the Hospice, where he now gives his time in a very different setting.

Michael also follows Buddhism, a philosophy that informs his outlook on life, death, and compassion. For him, volunteering is deeply personal. As he explains, “It’s a privilege, an honour, and incredibly humbling. The benefits of volunteering here outweigh anything else. I enjoy knowing I can make a difference, even in a small way.”

His perspective on life and death is thoughtful and grounded, shaped by both his beliefs and his experience at the Hospice. “Preparing for death is an essential part of living well. It shapes the quality of the life we’re living now, and even our spiritual journey.”

One of Michael’s greatest strengths is his emotional awareness. He has a natural ability to read a room, understanding when patients or families may want to talk, and when they need quiet companionship instead. This sensitivity allows him to support people through some of their most difficult moments with care and respect.

He is also deeply inspired by the Hospice team around him and the culture they create. He describes the organisation as a place where compassion is lived every day, and where even in sadness, there is connection and care. “The staff are phenomenal. They don’t just look after patients and families, they look after each other too. Of course, they feel sad sometimes, but they talk and support one another. I have huge admiration for them. The Hospice is life-affirming, a happy place where sad things happen.”

His day-to-day tasks include organising meal trolleys for the wards, tidying kitchen areas, watering flowers, and spending time chatting, or even singing, with patients and their loved ones. These small acts, he believes, can make a real difference.

Michael continues to deepen his understanding of end-of-life care. This summer, he will begin training with Living Well Dying Well on their Foundation Course to become an End-of-Life Companion (Doula).

Michael is also a proud ambassador for the Hospice. In 2023, he was part of a fundrais-ing group that completed a sponsored walk through the Grand Canyon, helping to raise more than £40,000 in support of Hospice care.

It’s this perspective that defines his experience. For Michael, volunteering is about connection, presence, and compassion in its purest form.