If you have a few hours to spare and would like to put them to good use improving our surroundings, sharing your skills with others or just giving something back to the community, Fairfield offers plenty of opportunities for volunteering. This month we are featuring Fairfield’s new Garden House Hospice shop – read on to find out more. 

Who are they? An adult hospice based in Letchworth which is expanding to open a new shop in Fairfield and would really appreciate the support of the local community.

What do they do? The hospice provides free end-of-life care and support to patients and their families living with life-limiting illness; the shop will help raise money to provide those services. Volunteers are needed to staff the shop, and there are also opportunities to work with the hospice in other roles, for example as a Compassionate Neighbour in the Stotfold area.

Who can join? Anyone over 14 can volunteer to work in the shop. You’ll need to be over 18 to be a Compassionate Neighbour.

What’s in it for me? The chance to give something back to your local community whilst meeting new people and making new friends. Volunteering can help you to gain work experience and looks great on your CV, and it’s also an opportunity to build confidence and self-esteem.

How can I get involved? Pop into one of the existing Garden House Hospice shops (in Hitchin, Letchworth, Stevenage, Baldock or Royston) and fill out a short application form. You can also book a taster session to see if volunteering is right for you. If you’re interested in becoming a Compassionate Neighbour, please contact Jeanette Farrow on 01462 679540 – or visit http://www.ghhospicecare.org.uk/volunteers/ for more information.

Why now? The shop should be opening its doors before Christmas, so now is your opportunity to go through the application process and receive some training in time for the big opening.