“It’s been a pleasure” – one of the Alan Hudson Day Treatment Centre’s longest serving volunteers retires after 20 years

October 23, 2020

Local lady, Chris Halton from Friday Bridge (Wisbech) retired from volunteering this month, having dedicated 20 years to the Alan Hudson Day Treatment Centre – an Arthur Rank Hospice Charity service, based at North Cambs Hospital in Wisbech.

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 Treatment Centre on a Tuesday, supporting the staff team and interacting with patients, many of whom she got to know very well.

To mark the occasion, a handful of colleagues and fellow volunteers gathered at the site recently, for a socially distanced goodbye. Day Therapy Team Lead Claire Walpole handed over a certificate recognising her 20 years of dedicated service, 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 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.”

Michelle Knight, Matron at the Alan Hudson Day Treatment Centre, adds: “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 35 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