This Volunteers’ Week (1 – 7 June 2026), Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care is celebrating its volunteers who ‘connect communities’ by donating their time and skills.
We have over 1700 registered volunteers in more than 100 roles – ranging from patient-facing volunteers to shop assistants. We will be celebrating them this week by sending thank you messages from staff to all volunteers, and sharing stories about the difference that volunteers make. Teams will also be gathering to celebrate their long-term service volunteers, many of whom have been volunteering for the charity for decades.
“Volunteers’ Week is a fantastic opportunity for us to celebrate the amazing contribution that volunteers make, every day of the year. Local people who decide to give up some of their time, energy and skills to volunteer really do keep the wheels turning at a charity like ours. From being a friendly face in a high street charity shop to transporting patients to appointments or visiting someone in their local community, our volunteers really do connect communities and help us provide extraordinary care, anywhere.”
One of our volunteer schemes that helps to ‘connect communities’ is the Compassionate Neighbour programme. Compassionate Neighbours are local people who volunteer to provide social and emotional support and companionship to people in their community who are experiencing loneliness or social isolation as a result of living with a life-limiting illness, frailty or bereavement.
Volunteers are matched with local community members based on location, interests and character with the aim of creating genuine, mutually beneficial friendships that really help to connect communities and tackle isolation.
Pat from Watford was matched with volunteer, Vicki, after being nominated for a Compassionate Neighbour. The pair have since become good friends who say they each benefit enormously from their time together.
Pat says, “It was my physio who suggested it. She knew I was a bit lonely and asked if I’d like her to put my name forward. I said ‘oh, yes please’ and I couldn’t believe how quickly they found me a Compassionate Neighbour!
“I don’t have family nearby so having a Compassionate Neighbour has made a huge difference to me. When you live on your own and have health problems and eyesight problems, it’s absolutely brilliant.
“It’s lovely when Vicki comes round to have somebody to talk to you. That interaction gives you something to think about – it keeps your brain going – rather than sitting here listening to the radio. I’ve made a new friend in Vicki and that’s so nice.”
"Not only is Volunteers’ Week taking place this month, June is also the month of Loneliness Awareness Week which is a reminder of the importance of our Compassionate Neighbours. Every hour spent with a community member has a significant impact on reducing social isolation and loneliness in our communities. I’d encourage anybody who thinks they, or someone they know, could benefit from the support of a Compassionate Neighbour to get in touch today.”
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Could you lend a hand?
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Jason and Dave’s Story
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Referring patients to our Compassionate Neighbours programme
Julie Millington is a Complex Case Manager for Watford and Three Rivers Community Adult Health Service. She often refers frail and socially isolated patients to our Compassionate Neighbour programme to help their mental and physical health.
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