Kate’s Story

Kate joined Team Hospice as a Reception Volunteer in July 2022, and after hearing about employment opportunities at the Hospice, she jumped at the chance to join our Fundraising and Lottery team. Here is her story.

A new opportunity

“After graduating from Lancaster University in 2001, I had a variety of jobs, before working for the Crown Prosecution Service in Manchester. I worked there for 17 years, but towards the end I came to realise that I wasn’t enjoying it anymore. I had young children, and I wasn’t seeing them as much as wanted because I got home from work late every day.

Me and my husband decided that it was a good time for me to take a career break, and when COVID-19 came along, I decided it was time to leave permanently. After a while I realised that I was bored and as I am a people person, being at home on my own didn’t suit me at all.”

Being introduced to the Hospice

“I first heard about volunteering at the Hospice through seeing adverts on social media and in the local press, and I thought it would be a good option as I wasn’t ready to go back to work full time. I applied to be a Reception Volunteer and loved it! I ended up taking on so many shifts, that it often felt like a part time job.

Once I began my volunteering role, I realised how much I loved being here and could see myself working here. I often kept an eye on job vacancies at the Hospice and noticed one day that they were looking for a Fundraising & Lottery Administrator. Prior to this, I had been offered a role as a Bank Receptionist, but just before that was finalised, I heard I got the role in the Fundraising & Lottery team!”

The Fundraising & Lottery team

“My team is absolutely fabulous. I have not had a job before where I get up in the morning and look forward to coming to work. A lot of that is to do with the people I work with. We have a brilliant, supportive team of people in the Fundraising office, and if anyone ever has a problem or needs help with something, people are always ready to step in and be supportive.

We have a good laugh, and I think that is so important when you work in a place like the Hospice. I believe that getting that balance right is vital, because it is a sad place for many people. We are all there for a good reason, to make the bad times as good as they can be, and the Fundraising & Lottery teams aim is to get as much money together as possible to make that happen.

I still volunteer on Reception even though I work in another team now, because I think it is important when you work on the corporate side to keep in touch with the everyday running of the Hospice, so we don’t forget why we’re here.”

A privileged position

“The people I work with are my favourite part of my role at the Hospice. Whether they are staff members or volunteers, I spend time with both people 30 years older than me and people young enough to be my children. The trait everyone shares however, is that they have good hearts and are good people. Another favourite part of my role is interacting with the lottery winners each week, whether that is calling them with the good news that they’ve won – or meeting them in person and getting photos with the big cheque.

I would absolutely recommend working at the Hospice. It is both fulfilling and varied, and you will get so much out of it.”

If you would like to join the Hospice team, see our current vacancies here.

Published May 2025