Fenland volunteer retires after 20 years with Alan Hudson Day Treatment Centre in Wisbech
A Fenland volunteer has stepped down after 20 years of dedicated service at the Alan Hudson Day Treatment Centre in Wisbech.
Chris Halton, from Friday Bridge, was presented with a certificate marking her service to the centre which is run by the Arthur Rank Hospice Charity, at a socially distance farewell with staff and fellow volunteers.
Chris, who worked shifts in the canteen at Padley’s before retiring, started volunteering at the Day Treatment Centre when it was known as The Macmillan Unit. She relished her role at the centre on a Tuesday, supporting the staff team and interacting with patients, many of whom she got to know very well.
Day therapy team lead Claire Walpole handed over the long service certificate, and the team presented her with chocolates, flowers and an Arthur Rank Hospice Charity badge.
Chris very much enjoyed her role but explains that when the pandemic hit and volunteers were temporarily unable to visit the centre, she gained a unique opportunity to take a step back.
She commented that she has ‘enjoyed being lazy for a change’ and has very much been enjoying gardening and bike riding. Chris is also a keen member of the indoor Friday Bridge Bowling Club and has missed the sport in the past few months. However, with this now restarting and with the luncheon and walking club once a month – her diary is quickly filling up.
Chris comments: “I’ve really enjoyed my time at The Alan Hudson Centre, it’s been a pleasure to be here. I’m now looking forward to doing my own thing.”
Matron Michelle Knight said: “Our volunteers are integral to the successful delivery of our support and services and individuals like Chris help make the Centre the warm and welcoming place that it is. We will miss her but wish her every success and happiness in her future endeavours and thank her wholeheartedly for 20 very valuable years of service. We are always on the look out for new volunteers, so please get in touch if you would like to find out more about how you can help!”
Along with Chris, a number of other long-serving Arthur Rank Hospice Charity volunteers were recognised for between five and thirty-five years of service. The charity’s volunteers enhance services, fulfilling a variety of valuable roles.
They support with everything from supporting creative activities in day therapy to supporting local fundraising activities, assisting with greeting patients to providing transport.
To find out more about volunteering at the Alan Hudson Day Treatment Centre, please contact the Arthur Rank Hospice Charity Voluntary Services team on 01223 675872 or email volunteer@arhc.org.uk