Havens Hospices is celebrating the extraordinary contribution of its volunteers following Volunteers’ Week, recognising the vital role they play in supporting local children, adults and families living with incurable illnesses.

Over the past year, 1,519 volunteers dedicated an incredible 182,262 hours to the charity – a 15% increase on the previous year. Their contribution is estimated to have saved Havens Hospices more than £2.2 million, helping ensure specialist hospice care remains available free of charge to those who need it most.

Of those volunteers, 738 supported the charity’s 27 shops, while a further 781 gave their time across inpatient units, catering, housekeeping, administration, fundraising, gardening and many other areas of the organisation. In addition, 30 companies took part in Havens Hospices’ helping hands volunteering programme, completing gardening and DIY projects across its sites.

To mark Volunteers’ Week and thank those who generously give their time, Havens Hospices hosted special tea parties at Fair Havens Hospice in Southend and Little Havens Children’s Hospice in Benfleet. Volunteers enjoyed tea and cake while hearing messages of thanks from the charity’s leadership team. Volunteers also received a personal thank-you from CEO Louise Bryan, either in a handwritten card or a video message.

Louise Bryan, CEO of Havens Hospices, said: “We simply couldn’t do what we do without our incredible volunteers. Their commitment, positivity and teamwork support every aspect of the charity and the care we provide. Whether they’re serving customers in our shops, helping at events, supporting families, maintaining our gardens or working behind the scenes, every volunteer makes such a difference.

“We are so deeply grateful for the time they generously give to Havens Hospices. Volunteers’ Week was an opportunity to celebrate their achievements and say thank you for everything they do to help us make every day count.”

Havens Hospices is always looking for new volunteers to join its team. Opportunities are available across a wide range of roles, from retail and fundraising to gardening, administration and supporting the care teams.

Anyone interested in volunteering can find out more about current opportunities by visiting the Havens Hospices website www.havenshospices.org.uk/volunteering.