The power of volunteering: A therapy dog and an inspiring bond

During this volunteering week, two charities present a couple of heart-warming case studies about some inspiring volunteers.

James Preston and therapy dog Nelson - Birmingham Hospice

“She said it was like having a hug. It's just unconditional love and so powerful.”

Birmingham Hospice has two sites in Selly Park and Erdington with volunteers who supports patients in different ways. From volunteers helping at events across the city to those giving up their time to sort through stock donations at our shops, every minute of time donated makes a difference.

One of these volunteers is James Preston, from Erdington, who has been volunteering at the hospice for an incredible 18 years.

He started his volunteer journey in 2005 when a co-worker's family member worked at the hospice and he felt inspired to get involved.

James, who is severely visually impaired, is a Wellbeing Volunteer offering one-to-one support and helping to facilitate bereavement groups with his guide dog Nelson, aged seven.

Having won the Pride of Birmingham Award in 2015 for volunteering, James is an inspirational part of our team. Helping bereaved people cope with grief and loss is a vital part of our service which we couldn't offer without people like James.

“In 2005 I saw an article in the Guide Dog magazine about therapy dogs and I wondered if the hospice would like to do something like that,” he explained.

“So I got in touch and we ended up creating the role from scratch so we could start therapy dog work with patients. This started with my first dog Kylie, then Vince and now Nelson.

“Sometimes patients want to see a dog in their last days so we'd make visits to the hospice. We always try to help where we can, and they are really heart-warming moments.”

James also received six months of specialist bereavement training when he became a Wellbeing Volunteer in 2010. He offers one-to-one support to those dealing with loss and grief, helping them on their journey by listening to how they're feeling and reassuring them they're not alone.

Nelson is often an extra help in these sessions, as he can sense when people are upset and he wants to comfort them.

James said: “He does his role so well. I had one client who was really upset, she was crying. I know she likes dogs, so she didn't mind Nelson coming over and putting his head on her knee.

“She said it was like having a hug. It's just unconditional love and so powerful.”

The bereavement groups the hospice host bring together those who have lost someone who was cared for by the hospice to talk openly about their grief.

James said seeing people slowly open up and feel comfortable talking about their loved one was a real privilege.

“You can really see the change in people when they come to the group and you start working with them - you see how they've moved along the journey of loss and grief

“It's great to form these relationships to help people. I just love to make a difference to people's lives, and I feel really privileged.”

Birmingham Hospice would love to hear from anyone interested in volunteering including individuals, groups and businesses.

Their mission is to male every moment matter for people living with a terminal diagnosis and they do this from Inpatient Units, in people's homes or out in the community.

There are many roles available including:

• Living Well Centre Activity Volunteer - Erdington
• Events Volunteer
• Volunteer Stock and Sales Assistant
• Volunteer Driver Living Well Centre, Erdington
• Front of House Receptionist Volunteers - Selly Park or Erdington Based
• Collection Box Agent
• Befriending Volunteer
• Wellbeing Volunteer
• Retail volunteer roles at our new Harborne store.

Click here to find out more about volunteering opportunities.

Kathryn and Mehdi - Volunteering Matters

“Knowing that Kathryn is volunteering always make me smile because she makes a big difference to the world.”

Volunteering Matters bring people together to overcome some of society's most complex issues through the power of volunteering. The charity partners with communities to overcome adversity, tackling social isolation and loneliness, improving health, developing skills and opportunity and making sure young people can lead change.

One of the projects they run is Grandmentors. Working in partnership with Wolverhampton City Council, they match young people who are care experienced with an older volunteer who will help transform the lives of young people through the emotional and practical support of our older volunteers.

Grandmentors is an award winning intergenerational mentoring project. Aimed at supporting young people who are leaving care to help them lead successful lives after care. Grandmentors help to transform the lives of young people through the practical and emotional support of older, world wise volunteers.

Grandmentor's volunteer Kathryn recently completed her mentoring with mentee, Mehdi. She has helped to improve his confidence and enabled him to move on in life.

Mehdi fled from Iran and had been in the UK for six years, in that time Mehdi had become very isolated, struggling with his mental health and feeling anxious about going out.

Kathryn has been supporting Mehdi since 2019 when he joined the Grandmentors project.

Kathryn took her time to get to know Mehdi, actively listening to the challenges he faced, slowly encouraging him to go out for shopping trips and attending appointments with him. She then helped Mehdi to create a CV, after which Mehdi got himself a job, albeit temporary, but it was still a job. A first time experience for Mehdi in the UK.

She encouraged him to use public transport to get to and from work, which he did eventually. He often shared his cultural food and traditions with Kathryn which Kathryn enjoyed tasting and learning more about.

Mehdi is now a much happier person, he has made friends whom he sees often. His self esteem has improved, he is confident coming out of the house and not sitting at home with the curtains shut all day. Although no longer part of the Grandmentors project, Kathryn and Mehdi hope to continue the great connection they have.

Kathryn said: “When I first met Mehdi he was having low moods and was very isolated, struggling to get out of the house.

“Today we sat in a restaurant with Mehdi, it's a big achievement! Mehdi has become a lot more confident and happier in himself. I've learnt a lot from being matched with Mehdi. Mentoring has given me the confidence to go and get myself a job. This wouldn't have been possible without the experience I've had as a Grandmentor.”

Mehdi said: “At the beginning I wasn't very happy. I tried different avenues to obtain support for myself and I didn't find any of them to be useful and felt no one cared.

“Then I was introduced to Kathryn as my mentor. Whenever I was feeling down, she was there to listen to me. Being able to talk to Kathryn about what is going on in my head made all the difference.

“Kathryn helped me to overcome my fear of coming out of the house, helped me with GP appointments, we went on shopping trips together and even helped me to get my first job. I have become better at making decisions for myself. Knowing that Kathryn is volunteering always make me smile because she makes a big difference to the world.”

If you would like to become a volunteer and have an hour to spare every week, please contact Farhana Akthar on 07719 959 777 or alternatively email Farhana.Akthar@volunteeringmatters.org.uk