Theme: Staff and volunteers

We are celebrating Volunteers’ Week by shining a light on those who give up their time and talents to support Moya Cole Hospice. Volunteers’ Week is an annual UK-wide campaign held from the first Monday in June to celebrate and recognise the contributions of volunteers. 

Every year, our volunteers from our shop in Edgeley plan a three-night, self-funded stay in Wales. According to the store manager, it allows their volunteers a great way to socialise outside of the shop setting. 

“This year marked the second year we’ve been on our trip,” Maria, who is the relief shop manager, said. “It all started because I mentioned to one of the volunteers that I’d been to the Warner Hotel at Bodelwyddan Castle in North Wales. 

“She mentioned that she’d love to go there. I told her that we’d all have to go one day. 

According to Maria, it is an amazing experience, especially for the volunteers, as some of them don’t get to go on holiday or don’t have anyone to go on holiday with. 

“It is so lovely we were all able to go together. It’s brought us closer together, to socialise outside of work.” 

The group took part in a wide variety of activities over the course of their two trips from line dancing classes, rifle shooting, and quizzes. 

The Edgley shop located on Castle Street in Stockport has a wide range of stock to suit everyone, there is plenty to choose from, including women’s and men’s clothing and accessories as well as homewares, bric-a-brac and new goods. 

For more information about the shop, click here.

It’s Volunteers’ Week and we’re celebrating by shining a light on some of the incredible people who give their time and talents to support Moya Cole Hospice. Rhys Griffiths-Jenkins is one such individual who gives his time to the Moya Cole Hospice Bridal Boutique and Vintage Charity Shop. 

Rhys has been volunteering at the store for over a year and has developed a love for the work he does in the shop. 

“I started volunteering because I got head hunted by the manager of the store,” Rhys said. “I came into the shop one day and she complimented me on my outfit and said have I ever considered volunteering. 

“Through working here and because we have the bridal room upstairs, I’ve developed a love for the admin side of things. Ringing the brides, getting them booked in,” he added. 

Rhys says volunteering brings structure to his life. 

“It’s another thing for me to be doing. It gives me a purpose, satisfaction. It keeps my days busy. It helps me feel fulfilled. 

“It’s also really good to help me get back out there. I’ve been out of work for a bit and it’s given me my confidence back and knowing that I still have skills that can be used. It’s teaching me new skills that I can take forward to full time employment,” he said. 

The Moya Cole Hospice Bridal Boutique and Vintage Charity Shop is located in Stockport. 

Volunteers’ Week is an annual UK-wide campaign held from the first Monday in June to celebrate and recognise the contributions of volunteers. 

You can find out more information by clicking here.

A “joyful and positive” experience is how Gwyneth Roper has described her time as part of the Altrincham Volunteer Fundraising Committee. 

Gwyneth says it was almost accidental how she got involved with the committee. 

“I was asked to go to a fundraising meeting,” Gwyneth said. “I thought it was just going to be about passing around ideas.  

“When I got there, they were talking about setting up a fundraising committee for the hospice. I thought that it was a bit much to help set up a committee, but when I met the other people and how lovely they all were, I couldn’t help but join,” she said. 

Gwyneth has been a member of the Altrincham committee since its inception approximately 18 months ago. 

According to Gwyneth, she has learned so much from being a part of the Altrincham committee. 

“Every day is a school day. I’ve learnt social networking skills, developed computer skills, learned how to set up a Vinted account, and so much more. I’m always learning with the committee.” 

The group’s aim is to do one big event each year and two smaller events.  

One of Gwyneth’s favourite and proudest moments being a part of the fundraising committee was when they held a Frocks and Fizz evening last year and raised over £7,000.  

“It was such a joy. The main thing for me as I said was meeting the other people through the committee and being able to share that with them,” she said. 

“It is a commitment but it’s a well worth commitment.” 

The Fundraising Team at Moya Cole Hospice are looking to recruit members for three new volunteer fundraising committees. These committees will be based in Didsbury and Chorlton, the Heatons and Reddish, and Marple and Romiley.   

An information evening for the Heatons and Reddish will be taking place on Monday, March 16th. See end of story for details

The Fundraising Team at Moya Cole Hospice are looking to recruit members for three new volunteer fundraising committees.  

These committees will be based in Didsbury and Chorlton, the Heatons and Reddish, and Marple and Romiley.   

It follows the success of their already established Heald Green, Altrincham, and Little Hulton committees. 

Community Fundraiser for Moya Cole Hospice, Samantha Lanigan commented. 

“Being a part of one of our volunteer fundraising committees is a unique opportunity as you can directly help patients and families in our care through the organisation of various events to raise funds for the hospice. 

Committees typically meet once a month to discuss various fundraising ideas. The Altincham committee typically host one big event a year and two smaller ones. Their Frocks and Fizz event last year raised over £7,000 for the hospice. 

Gwyneth Roper, a member of the Altrincham committee said it was her proudest moment since joining approximately 18 months ago. 

“It was such a joy… meeting the other people through the committee and being able to share that with them,” she said. 

Rekha Senapati has been a volunteer for Moya Cole Hospice for 15 years, she was later asked to join the Little Hulton Volunteer Fundraising Committee. 

“Being a part of the committee has allowed me to learn more about new ideas, views and thoughts which I have found very interesting,” Rekha said. 

Lynn Partridge joined the Heald Green Volunteer Fundraising Committee as she experienced the care her dad and auntie received at the hospice. 

“The hospice gives such comfort, dignity and kindness to people and I wanted to do something that helped towards making sure other families can experience this. 

If you are interested in learning more about our committees or you would like to put your name forward to join one of our new committees, click here. 

If you are interested in coming along to the Heatons and Reddish Volunteer Fundraising Committee information evening you can contact Sam via email samantha.lanigan@moyacole.org.uk or by phone on 07773 570 203. The meeting is open to all.

There has been a transition in the Board of Trustees at Moya Cole Hospice as Anita Rolfe takes over the position from Jackie Oldham. 

Monday 1st December marked Anita’s first day as Chair of the Board of Trustees at the hospice. 

Anita has served on the Board of Trustees since May 2024, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise. She is employed as the Deputy Chief Nurse for NHS Greater Manchester and has worked in the NHS as a registered nurse for 39 years having started her nursing career in 1985. 

Anita has worked in a variety of clinical roles across Greater Manchester including community, acute, mental health and primary care provision. Anita has significant senior clinical leadership experience across commissioning and provider organisations, with a particular focus on governance, quality assurance and improvement, patient safety and care experience.  

Anita has a close connection with the hospice, as her daughter received end-of-life care from the care team in 2019, and therefore brings a deep understanding of the feelings that families experience when engaging with the hospice.  

“I’m grateful for the trust of the Board and for Jackie’s leadership,” said Anita. “This is an exciting chapter in the history of the hospice as we change our name to Moya Cole Hospice, move to our new site in Heald Green and plan for development at our Little Hulton site.

Anita’s predecessor, Jackie, has led Moya Cole Hospice through the challenges of Covid, as well as the exciting and transformational plans to build a new hospice in Heald Green. She will remain actively involved as a trustee, continuing to support the organisation’s mission and provide valuable guidance during this next chapter. 

“It has been an honour to serve as Chair of Moya Cole Hospice,” Jackie said. “I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together, and I’m excited to support Anita as she steps into this important role. Anita brings extensive strategic experience, a strong commitment to our values, and a clear vision for the future. 

Volunteer at Moya Cole Hospice, Peter Mackereth has been awarded the Cavell Star Award for his work incorporating complementary therapies into cancer and hospice care. 

Edith Cavell, whom the awards are named after was a British nurse during the First World War. She is celebrated for saving the lives of soldiers from both sides and for helping over 200 Allied soldiers escape from German-occupied Belgium. 

Peter was surprised with the award in a meeting at Moya Cole Hospice on Thursday, October 30. 

Peter and Ann Carter, a former Complementary Therapy Coordinator at Moya Cole Hospice were at the hospice discussing their new publication: ‘Guidelines for Complementary Therapies Practice in Supportive and Palliative Care’ on behalf of the National Association of Complementary Therapists in Supportive and Palliative Care. 

This is a new version of the ‘Guidelines’ originally authored by Marianne Tavares, published in 2003. 

Peter and Ann have, according to them, 60 years of practice in complementary therapies between them. They have previously written books together. 

Peter said it was a wonderful surprise to receive the Cavell Star Award at Moya Cole Hospice. 

Chief Executive of Moya Cole Hospice, Rachel McMillan presented Peter with the award. 

“I really value complementary therapy, certainly in hospice care. It gives me great pleasure to be able to award Peter the prestigious Cavell Star Award. This is an extremely prestigious award within the nursing profession. Peter has won this award because of his contribution to complementary therapy both in the NHS and hospice care,” Rachel said. 

Peter started nurse training  in 1976 and has worked in intensive care, neurology and oncology. He has an MA in Medical Ethics and has completed a PhD study investigating reflexology and progressive muscle relaxation training for people living with multiple sclerosis. Peter trained in acupuncture, hypnotherapy, aromatherapy massage and reflexology. Currently, Peter teaches on the Digital Oncology programmes for Student Nurses at The Christie. Peter has authored numerous papers and edited 7 books. He speaks nationally and internationally on complementary therapies.  

For over 15 years, Peter led the Complementary Health and Wellbeing Team at The Christie. Peter’s recent studies have evaluated interventions for needle anxiety, cancer related fatigue, smoking cessation, peripheral neuropathy and breathlessness.  Peter joined Moya Cole Hospice in 2016 as a volunteer therapist after taking retirement – this was interrupted briefly when he returned to practice as a vaccination nurse during the COVID pandemic. 

To learn more about Peter and Ann’s new publication ‘Guidelines for Complementary Therapies Practice in Supportive and Palliative Care’, click here.