Claughton shop volunteer Anne Rose is a rose, is a rose, is a rose!

Anne flanked by volunteer friends Chris and Jane

Anne Rose has volunteered for Wirral Hospice St John’s for nearly 20 years now.

Taking inspiration from her mum, Hilda, who had volunteered, and sister Anita who still volunteers, at Wigan and Leigh Hospice, Anne, who settled in Wirral, wanted to support her own local hospice.

As an infant schoolteacher and then deputy head previously Anne had always had a busy working life so, following her retirement, she knew she wanted to stay active.

“I was a keen member of Heswall Flower Club and joined the hospice as volunteer working to arrange donated flowers so that patients could enjoy something colourful and uplifting during their hospice stay.

During the 10 years that I did this, alongside some other wonderful volunteers, the hospice opened a shop close to where I lived in Claughton and I knew I wanted to, and could give, some more hours each week.

The shop has been a big part of my life for the past fourteen years. I’ve made wonderful friends who mean the world to me, and my five grandchildren have all grown up while I’ve been here.

Everyone at the shop has leaned on support from each other from time to time down the years but we’ve all been there to listen, laugh and love.

We all really pull together to, yes, have fun, but also to make sure that all the money raised from people’s kind donations of their pre-loved items can support our precious Wirral Hospice St John’s.”

Claughton shop manager Karen and a couple of her volunteer colleagues, Jane and Christine, told us about Anne’s boundless personal positivity, bringing in crackers, cheese and meats for nibbles for the group and  her empathy with customers who have experienced hospice services and/or ill-health in their own families.

This is especially resonant as Anne, already recovered once from breast cancer, developed a secondary breast cancer in her bones which required a very significant operation in 2018.

As always, Anne prefers to recognise the family and friends who support her,

“The shop team were amazing. Lovely friends who were so empathetic and always looking out for me. They encouraged me to get well and get back to volunteering which really gave me something to look forward to.

Volunteering again after illness gave me a real purpose. I love being in the shop as we all work together developing a happy, welcoming, clean and profitable shop that customers and donors visit again and again.

My life is so much richer for the people I know now and the fact that we have our precious hospice at the centre of all we do. 

I am so grateful to have been able to have the shop as an important part of my life.”

And, we’re so grateful to you too, Anne. Thank you so much for all that you do.

Do you have a passion for fashion? Can you spot a quality item or a great bargain? Do you enjoy meeting new people? If yes to all of these, a Wirral Hospice charity shop might be the place for you. We’re looking for volunteers who can commit to one shift a week, ideally, in one of our ten thriving charity shops across Wirral. You can even try a taster session and meet some of our friendly team before deciding to apply. 

People from all walks of life and all ages volunteer for us. If you have the time and skills to make a difference by volunteering, please contact Phil or Sarah at volunteering@wirralhospice.org or call 0151 334 2778 ask for volunteer services and tell us how you would like to help.