A hidden treasure at St Elizabeth Hospice

Annie Bowen Wright has volunteered at St Elizabeth Hospice since April 2013 on the hospice’s inpatient unit (IPU), often volunteering 2/3 times a week. Volunteers, such as Annie, make such a difference to St Elizabeth Hospice and play a vital role in the charity delivering care to more than 3000 patients and their families annually.

Annie is a great role model to new volunteers, many of whom will support the hospice for a number of years, through her dedication to volunteering and helping them to settle when they first start. She always goes above and beyond; an example of this was at the pandemic outbreak, when Annie donned full PPE to give care to patients who had tested positive for COVID-19. Her biggest concern was to support the nursing team and ensure patients were comfortable, no matter what challenges COVID-19 posed. As COVID-19 saw staff having to isolate, Annie’s willingness to turn her hand to any task was invaluable, as she helped the hospice support the local community during unprecedented and uncertain times brought by COVID-19. At all times her priority is the patient’s needs and she will do her utmost to meet their wishes; often sitting for long periods with patients, who are distressed, to try and make them feel more comfortable.

Annie is a hidden treasure and this recognition would go a little way to showing the hospice’s true appreciation for such an amazing person, who plays a vital role in helping the hospice. Annie’s volunteering has made a tremendous difference to the IPU team.

An IPU nurse said: “Annie is so special. She gives her time freely, often covering extra shifts. Her experience of being a practice nurse is invaluable and her knowledge is very much appreciated. She is totally selfless and I cannot praise her enough for what she brings to IPU.”

Annie is no stranger to the importance of hospice work, with previous experience volunteering at St Christopher’s Hospice and fundraising for St John’s Hospice, where her husband worked as an anaesthetist. She has also volunteered for a charity in Mozambique, where she visited the country annually to help deliver babies and later this year she will be opening up her garden to the public as part of St Elizabeth Hospice’s fundraising Great Garden Trail.

Annie explained: “I love volunteering in the hospice where the atmosphere is calm and the work is extremely rewarding, as you are helping a vital community service. Everyone has a right to die with dignity, respect, kindness and compassion and the hospice provides this care and so much more. From emotional and bereavement support to day care services, for those living with progressive illnesses as well as their families and carers, by volunteering you help to contribute to this wonderful holistic service that supports so many in the community.”

Nominated by St Elizabeth Hospice for the 2022 Volunteers of the Year (England) category

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