Volunteer Testimonials

My name is Susanna Kenny.

I applied to be a volunteer with Mayo Hospice after having a tour and introduction to the beautiful new building of Mayo Hospice in March 2021. 

I had often played pitch and putt with my family on these grounds before the Hospice was
built. My abiding memory of such a game was with my sister Jean’s three children. My
sister was recovering from cancer of the tongue, throat and tonsils at the time.

She was so ill and so weak at the time. She just sat on a seat as we did the rounds of the course. I must say that at that time we just tried to make the most of our time together and did not know what the future held for Jean or her lovely young family.  
Thankfully Jean made a full recovery and has enjoyed many years of good health and the
happiness of seeing her children grow up, get married and she is now the proud Granny of 4
beautiful grandchildren and hopefully more to come.  

Back in 2021 I was self-employed at the time and hoping to retire.  I was a bit concerned
that I would be bored with the new retired life, so I had to get a plan for Susanna.   
I am delighted that my application was accepted and I now volunteer in Mayo Hospice    I
cover reception and give the full-time staff a lunch and tea break on a rostered basis. 
We are like a happy family of volunteers with superb training.  

As volunteers we have regular “get togethers” organised with food, drink and an
opportunity to catch up and get to know everyone. I am enjoying my time with Hospice in its beautiful surroundings. 
I am not involved in the care of patients but I am on the receiving end of how happy
everyone is with the courtesy shown to them and how happy they are with the care
provided their loved ones.

My name is Trudy Concannon and I’m a volunteer with Galway Hospice.

As I had worked in the Bon Secours hospital for twenty years, I was accustomed to dealing with patients.

However, I had no experience of dealing with seriously ill people and I felt that this would be a challenge for me in  volunteering with the Galway Hospice.

Initially, I had thought hospice care was about sickness and dying but I quickly learned that it’s about providing the best quality of life possible for people with life-limiting conditions. The Hospice is an environment filled with warmth, kindness, and a sense of community.

People with a life threatening condition can often feel isolated and fearful. However, at Galway Hospice, there is
a patient-centred approach meaning that from admission, people are treated courteously with dignity, respect,
and compassion. Our professional staff address their
medical, emotional, psychological and spiritual needs whilst volunteers support staff in creating a welcoming
environment in which patients feel secure. My role involves the serving of meals to patients in the Inpatient Unit, where I have the opportunity to check in with them and often share a few smiles and laughs too. Day Care also provides complementary therapies, such as art therapy and aromatherapy which really helps provide patients relaxation.

Seeing patients willingly coming in from their homes to participate in these activities demonstrates that they are living life to the fullest, which is very rewarding.

Volunteering at Galway Hospice has profoundly impacted me. It has given me a deep understanding of empathy and human connection, witnessing firsthand the difference a kind word or a simple gesture can make.

It is such an enriching experience and one that I cherish deeply.