Two of our team kicked off our Employer Supported Volunteering scheme last week, using their time to help in the magnificent garden at Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice in Huddersfield.
Emma, who looks after Web & Marketing, and Adam, one of our Directors volunteered in the garden as well as having a tour around the hospice. Joined by volunteers from other local organisations, the group were welcomed by Gemma and looked after for the day by Larry. Tasks included watering the garden, especially the young trees that have recently been planted in the new woodland walk area, weeding the raised beds and hedge trimming on the lane outside. With such a large space to look after, volunteering days are organised every two weeks over the summer months to help with maintenance and new projects. The garden allows the children and families to spend time outside in a safe, secure and accessible space and includes sensory equipment, wheelchair friendly gardening opportunities, quiet spaces to reflect and play areas for the children.
Forget Me Not provide nursing care, hydrotherapy, creative therapy, days out, memory-making, end-of-life care, bereavement support and counselling to families living with or facing the loss of their child. They are the only children’s hospice in the whole of West Yorkshire and must raise 90% of the £6 million it will cost to run their vital services in 2024. The work they do is truly remarkable.
Gemma, who looked after the volunteers on the day said “Thank you for being a huge help in our garden today. As a charity we rely heavily on the support of our community whether that be fundraising or volunteering. We couldn’t do what we do without the kindness and generosity you have shown us today”.
We really value being able to give back to our communities and we’re pleased that we have other team members planning their volunteering days. We asked Emma about her day and she said “We had a great day, and we certainly had the weather for it! The volunteering was really well organised, everyone was friendly and it’s great to know we’re supporting a cause that’s so important within West Yorkshire. Thank you to Forget Me Not for having us, we’ll definitely be back.”
