Sharon - Volunteer Complimentary Therapist

I first started volunteering at Heart of Kent Hospice nearly 20 years ago, when I qualified as an aromatherapist and masseuse and right from the beginning, I realised how special it was and how powerful simple touch can be. Patients would say to me, “You’re the first person who’s held my hand in weeks.”

When people become seriously ill, even those closest to them can become frightened to touch them, because they worry they’ll hurt them. I’ve always been drawn to scent and to being tactile, so I signed up for evening and weekend college classes in complementary therapies. This has always been my hobby and sadly I had to leave the hospice due to work commitments.

However, I was delighted when I was then able to return to volunteer just over 3 years ago, when my work life afforded me time to spend time at the hospice - I take a day a week out of my business to volunteer.

Those skills are what I bring into the hospice. People often say, “I didn’t know the hospice offered things like this.” For them it’s a moment of comfort and unexpected calm. And for me, it’s incredibly rewarding. I get such a lift from being able to help someone feel a little more at ease.

I’ve met some wonderful people, and I love hearing about their lives. It’s a privilege to be part of their world and to bring comfort through gentle, human connection.

Thursdays are my best day of the week.