Why We Volunteer at Rowans Hospice: A Corporate Volunteer’s Perspective
At Rowans Hospice, our hospice volunteers are always on hand to help our patients and the rest of the team, provide exceptional hospice at home, palliative, and end-of-life care, as well as a range of other much needed care services.
In this article, we wanted to share why Lead Forensics reached out to Rowans Hospice to become corporate volunteers, and what impact it had on their team who joined us.
What inspired your company to get involved becoming Rowans Hospice Volunteers?
At Lead Forensics, company volunteering initiatives are deeply embedded in our culture. When we saw a social media post from Rowans Hospice calling for hospice volunteers, we didn’t hesitate — we knew we wanted to get involved and offer our support.
As we learned more about Rowans Hospice and the impact of their work, we quickly discovered how many of our team members had personal connections to Rowans, with some having family who were cared for there. That made our decision even to spend some time being hospice volunteers even more meaningful.
We chose to help with events and gardening, where we knew our team could lend a practical hand. It’s a privilege to be able to help other hospice volunteers contribute to a place that means so much to the community.
What volunteering activities did your team take part in at Rowans Hospice, and how did you find the experience?
Our team primarily gets stuck into gardening — and they absolutely love it. In fact, it’s our most popular team building day of the year! The gardening crew at Rowans Hospice are always incredibly welcoming, laid-back, and knowledgeable. They trust our team of volunteers to take the lead on projects and are fantastic to work alongside.
Each day begins with a quick meeting where the employees volunteering are briefed on what’s needed — every session is different depending on the season and team. Then it’s gloves on and tools out!
We help with planting, de-weeding, hedge trimming, tidying pathways, sweeping, and more. After a well-earned lunch break, we dive back in to finish the day strong. The work may be hard, but it’s always rewarding.
We love that Alice, Rowans Hospice Corporate Engagement Lead, always stops by to say hello and snap a photo of the volunteers — it’s the perfect way to capture the spirit of the day.
How did becoming hospice volunteers benefit your team (personally and professionally)?
Becoming hospice volunteers at Rowans Hospice brings tremendous personal and professional benefits to our team.
On a personal level, the experience is incredibly motivating. Taking a break from screens to work in nature with purpose gives our team a chance to make a tangible difference — even through something as simple as gardening.
The serotonin boost from that style of team building is real! It helps individuals reflect on their own lifestyles and deepens their understanding of how acts of service can positively impact the community. Each person who takes part walks away with personal growth and a renewed perspective.
Professionally, the team absolutely loved the shared experience of being hospice volunteers together. Gardening side by side builds strong bonds, encourages collaboration, and strengthens team spirit.
These experiences outside the office foster genuine connections and make our company volunteering initiatives even more vibrant. Team members get to know each other in a fresh, relaxed setting — which naturally enhances workplace dynamics.
We also see amazing leadership qualities emerge. Our team of hospice volunteers enjoy taking on projects, owning tasks, and showing initiative while supporting the staff at Rowans. It’s teamwork in action, and it brings out the best in everyone.
What did you learn about the charity through your experience?
Each visit to Rowans Hospice deepens our understanding of the incredible work they do. One recent visit came with the sad news that the café was closing, which was difficult to hear — it’s been such a warm part of the hospice experience. But even more powerfully, we learned just how much support Rowans offers to the people who walk through its doors.
Every team that volunteers gains insight into the wide range of services offered, including specialist end-of-life care for those aged 16+, bereavement support, the Living Well Centre, and Hospice at Home services. During their time there, the employees volunteering were shown the In-patient unit — a space that’s beautifully simplistic and deeply comforting.
We always appreciate the updates Alice shares with us, from funding facts to recent happenings at the Hospice. It helps us stay connected to the heartbeat of Rowans and understand how our efforts contribute to something much bigger.
What would you say to other businesses thinking about volunteering with Rowans Hospice?
If your business gets the opportunity to become corporate volunteers at Rowans Hospice — take it! It’s a highlight for our team every year, and for good reason. From the warm, welcoming community who greet you, to the meaningful impact you make, every moment is motivational and memorable.
Rowans offers a wide variety of volunteering opportunities, from gardening and supporting events to helping with fundraising and more. Every volunteering day is thoughtfully planned, smoothly run, and always leaves us feeling like we’ve given back in a truly valuable way.
We wholeheartedly recommend Rowans Hospice to any business looking to make a difference while strengthening their team spirit. It’s an experience that inspires, connects, and truly matters.
A word from Rowans Hospice’s Deputy Chief Executive & Clinical Director, Jo Fricker
We feel so lucky to have the support of amazing corporate volunteers who help us make a difference. Recently, the brilliant team at Lead Forensics chose to support us — and they’ve been incredible!
They rolled up their sleeves and have been helping to maintain our beautiful grounds and gardens. These outdoor spaces mean so much to our patients and their families, offering comfort, peace, and a touch of nature during difficult times.
A huge thank you to everyone at Lead Forensics for your kindness, hard work, and generosity. You’ve truly made a difference.
How you can support Rowans Hospice
If you would like to get involved with becoming a Rowans Hospice Corporate Partner, email corporate@rowanshospice.co.uk or visit our page to find out more about how your company can support Rowans Hospice.