When John retired from his role as a Site Supervisor at a local school, he found himself thinking “What next?” When the idea of volunteering was presented to him, something pulled him toward a familiar name—Wakefield Hospice. From initially volunteering at the Kirkgate shop to now also supporting families as a Dementia Home Support Volunteer, John is discovering that giving a little time can mean a great deal. “I can’t really tell you why I got involved—it just felt right. After I retired, I was looking for something to do, something meaningful. Wakefield Hospice was the first place that came to mind. Looking back, I think that’s because my mum was supported there, it was a special place to her and our family, she loved it there and the care she received was amazing. It always felt like a special place, and maybe that stuck with me, even if I didn’t realise it at the time. “I started out volunteering three hours a week at the WH Retail Kirkgate shop. It was a great way to ease into things, meet people, and feel useful again. But then I heard about the Dementia Home-Support volunteer role, and I’m not quite sure what it was but something just told me to give it a go. I did my training, and before I knew it, I was being matched with my first family. “In the strangest twists of fate, I ended up knowing the person with dementia. His son and my son had been best friends growing up, it really is a small world. “His wife was so grateful for the support, and honestly, that’s when it really hit me how much of a difference just ‘being there’ can make. Even if we were just talking about old times or watching a bit of TV, I could see the difference those small things made to him and likewise the difference it made to his family too – providing breathing space and time to be used however they need. “The role has really opened up a whole new world to me. You think you’re just giving a bit of your time, but you end up gaining so much more. Every minute you give, you’re not just helping the person with dementia—you’re helping their family too, and that’s something I’m really proud to be part of.” If you would like to find out more about our volunteer roles click below Click here