Sarah's Story

Sarah Williams, one of our volunteers, discusses why volunteering at Thames Hospice is so meaningful.

For nearly two decades, Sarah was a theatre sister at the Dunedin Hospital in Reading. She had a fulfilling career in nursing, but everything changed when her mother passed away from breast cancer, followed by her father, who was a surgeon. Losing both within a year had a profound impact on Sarah and she found that she couldn’t continue nursing in the same capacity anymore. Life had altered so drastically; she needed a change.

Sarah started working with her husband in his promotional business, a world that was vastly different from the hospital environment she was used to. While she enjoyed it, something was missing. After four years, she realised that she deeply missed the connection she had with the hospital and the patients she used to care for. Just by chance, in 2016, Sarah attended a coffee morning raising money for the Hospice, which led to the opportunity to volunteer.

Sarah explains: “The idea of volunteering at the Hospice felt like the perfect way to return to a setting that had once been my life. And now, I specifically help out with tidying, managing patient menus and helping staff with various chores. I’m also there to assist relatives and visitors, guiding them through the Hospice and making them feel more at ease.

“One of the most rewarding aspects of my role is the opportunity to speak with family members. Many visitors arrive feeling scared or unsure about what to expect. I make it my goal to offer them comfort. As a volunteer, you have to gauge with patients and their relatives how much people actually want to talk. Sometimes they might just need a tissue popped into their hand and you walk away. Other times, you realise they actually want to say something to you that they haven’t been able to say to a loved one. You need to be able to read situations. Having been a nurse all my life, I can read those situations, which is really helpful.

“The atmosphere at the Hospice is unique. Despite the challenges families are facing, the environment is lively and warm. The Hospice is serene, peaceful, and offers beautiful views, which adds to the sense of comfort for both patients and families.”

Sarah adds: “One of the most humbling aspects of my time here is the stories patients share when they are well enough to talk. Every patient has a unique story, and I find it incredibly rewarding to hear about their lives, whether they’ve been a CEO, an artist, or someone who led a quiet, humble life. Everyone is equal here, and it’s a reminder that we all have a story to tell.

“I know that the patients and families I encounter are going through some of the hardest moments of their lives. Being able to provide even a small amount of comfort or kindness is truly special.”