We believe in you! Wirral Met student Joseph proves the secret to success is enthusiasm

When you meet Joseph Cookey you can’t help but be swept up by his infectious enthusiasm.

A respectful manner, a ready smile and a willingness to help, will convince you that he will achieve anything he sets his mind to.

Joseph came to the hospice via a work placement agreement we have with Wirral Met College where a number of students, studying for level 1 and 2 qualifications, are offered volunteer work experience for one day a week, for 6-12 weeks, in our charity shops.

Refreshingly honest answers from Joseph to questions about his time in our Liscard shop make us realise that the partnership works well for students as well as for the hospice.

We thanked him for helping us.

“You helped me too,” is his spontaneous reply.

Meeting and dealing with customers, interacting with colleagues, volunteers & staff, carrying out important duties and instructions, have helped embed the interpersonal skills necessary for a future career, wherever it may take him.

Our Liscard charity shop manager, Sue, told us about Joseph,

“Joe completed a six-week placement at our shop, and he has been a pleasure to have from day one.

He’d ride his bike to come and volunteer every Tuesday morning from, 9am until 1pm and sometimes he would stay for an afternoon shift too. He has sorted and tagged stock, cleaned on the shop floor, been using the till with supervision and interacted with customers, giving good customer service.

He has a bubbly and likeable personality and fitted into the team very well.

He finished his placement last Tuesday but came in yesterday afternoon for a couple of hours and helped us out in the shop again. His eagerness shines brightly!”

Joseph recently received his Level 2 qualification in health and social care and is now set to pursue a further qualification with the college at level 3.

Whatever the future holds, a career in health and social care, medicine, retail or even becoming a City trader, you never know, Joseph is going to approach it with commitment and, of course, his not-so secret ingredient, enthusiasm.

Well done, Joseph! The very best wishes of everyone at Wirral Hospice St John’s are with you.

If you’d like to volunteer at the hospice or in your community at one of our charity shops follow the links at www.wirralhospice.org/volunteering or email, volunteering@wirralhospice.org or call, 0151 334 2778 and ask for volunteer services