Wednesdays at Sobell

“I started volunteering at Sobell House in October 2007, a year and a half after the death of my mother. Volunteering had been a big part of her life in West Sussex and I could see the enjoyment and satisfaction she’d got from it. I knew the then manager of the Day Centre at Sobell House and she mentioned that they were looking for volunteers. Initially, I joined the volunteer team on Thursdays, but when a space became available on Wednesdays, I swapped and have been volunteering on Wednesdays ever since! I’ve always been based in the Day Centre, which is now the renamed Living Well. As I walked in that first time to have my interview, I felt a calmness. The sun was shining as I walked down the corridor, and there was a blanket of peace and serenity – any nerves I had rapidly disappeared.

The privilege of volunteering at Sobell over the past 18 years has been immense. During this time, I’ve come into contact with so many interesting and wonderful people: staff, patients, relatives, and volunteers, and it is they who have made it such a deeply rewarding and inspirational experience – a satisfying contrast to work and daily life. My day at Sobell has always been sacrosanct and after running a business with my husband over many years, I decided I’d go out to work aged 55. My Wednesday at Sobell was always respected, and colleagues and management would work around this. I’m now retired, but Wednesdays continue to be a very important part of my life.

Living Well is a place full of activity, laughter, and, on occasion, sadness. Many patients say they feel anxious about walking into Sobell for the first time and how they imagine a hospice to be. But generally, by the end of their first session, they feel relaxed, cherished, and supported, and can’t wait to return the following week. Patients spend twelve weeks with us and inevitably they enjoy it so much many later return for additional time in Living Well. Many years ago, a patient described Living Well as “the Sobell jewel in the crown” which has always stuck with me.

During the COVID pandemic Living Well was closed. In order to continue making myself useful I volunteered to become a telephone companion. This involved speaking to patients that had signed up for the service, and generally, we would talk once a week. This was initially difficult as I was talking to someone I’d never met, but after the initial qualms, we chatted away to each other, and, over time, I got to know the patients very well as they told me about their lives and families. One gentleman called Basil sticks in my mind as we spoke at the same time each week, but one day I found the phone engaged, so someone else was greeted with, “Hello Alex, how are you my dear?” Later, he did say it was an embarrassing moment as a deep voice had answered! During the pandemic, we also trialled holding virtual coffee mornings, and the patients who joined found it enjoyable, as did the volunteers. As this was a time when we were isolating, it was fun to chat and make contact with people.

Sometime in 2021, a patient made a request for someone to help her create an e-book. However, we quickly realised this would be impossible as many pictures, photographs, and poems were to be included. Eventually, it was decided that a printed book would be the best solution. In close collaboration with the author and the Sobell charity, I designed and produced the book. It was published later that year, called Rhymes under the Rainbow.

By June 2023 life had returned to normality and Living Well reopened its doors. I returned and it’s been back to the familiar rhythm of laughter, companionship, and support that makes every Wednesday so meaningful.”