We spoke to Becky Brickwood, PR and Communications at Kids Planet about her time volunteering at St. Rocco’s.
What inspired you to start volunteering at the hospice?
I love giving back, but like most people I do not have much spare time, so when our digital marketing manager suggested we volunteer as part of the Kids Planet Gives initiative, I jumped at it. I did not know what to expect, and I was curious to see it for myself. I grew up in Warrington and my mum was a trustee at St. Rocco’s years ago, so there was a personal appeal too, it felt like the right moment to learn about life within a hospice and be useful with my teammates beside me.
Have you had any particularly memorable moments or experiences you’d be willing to share?
The art therapy session with Mo was fantastic, she welcomed us with a calm confidence and guided us as we decorated little trinket boxes (with my very questionable craft skills), during the activity time slowed and the room settled into a peaceful conversation. Mo said art gives people a pocket of calm, and I believed her, the room felt lighter.
Later we joined the carers coffee session, and I sat with Barbara and her daughter. Barbara, who lives in the local community and attends the session each week, warned me that bingo might descend into chaos and that the quiz could get intense, and she was right - in the best way. There was laughter, singing, friendly joking, and we were told how important that hour is for many people, a lifeline that looks like a cup of tea and a few silly games, with joy and relief sharing the same warm space.
What have you learned from working with patients, families, or the hospice team and how has this experience helped you grow or change your perspective about hospices?
I learnt that a hospice can hold so much life, with colour on walls, music in the background, and staff who work with patience and pride. The small things matter more than you think, a friendly face, a quiet chat, ten minutes where someone can rest their shoulders. I saw how the team holds families and carers when they are running on empty, giving them a chance to breathe. It changed my view of hospice care, it’s so much more than an ending, it is love, dignity, and being seen.
How do you describe the hospice to those who may not be familiar with it?
I describe St. Rocco’s as a homely, welcoming place where the kettle is always on and nobody rushes you. It is busy in the best way, with rooms for laughter and rooms for hard moments. There is art on the walls and a garden that invites you outside, and you meet skilled people who see the person before the illness and who care for families as much as for patients. It feels safe and comforting, and full of personality.
What would you say to someone considering volunteering at the hospice?
Pay a visit once and see how it feels, you do not need special skills, just your time and your care, and the team will guide you. You will be useful in ways you do not expect, you will meet good people, and you will leave with a fuller heart and a clearer sense of why this place matters. I am grateful to St. Rocco’s for opening my eyes to what hospice care is, human and warm. If you get the chance, walk through the doors and see for yourself, it shows you what care looks like when it really matters.
Are there any ways you’d like to continue supporting the hospice in the future?
Yes, I would love to come back and volunteer again and bring more colleagues, so others can experience it too. I would like to spend more time in art therapy with Mo, and I would love to help sell the art creations at stalls and markets, adding a little extra assistance to the work already happening. I am happy to be a pair of hands at events and to support fundraising at work, it feels like a good way to honour my mum’s time as a trustee and to support a cause that gives so much to the people who need it most.
If you would like to get involved with Corporate Volunteering, contact our Corporate Fundraising Manager, Liam Durkan on E: liamdurkan@stroccos.org.uk.
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