Campaign to target new volunteers at hospice

The Heart of Kent Hospice in Aylesford is hosting two cream teas for anyone interested in volunteering

A Kent hospice is hoping to use a national campaign to recruit more volunteers.

Volunteers Week takes place across the UK between 2 and 8 June.

The Heart of Kent Hospice in Aylesford is hosting two cream teas for anyone who might be interested in offering some of their spare time.

The hospice said it depended on volunteers across the range of services it offers, from complementary therapies to organising fundraising events.

Karen Cooney, head of people services at the hospice, said: "By volunteering your time at the hospice you will be helping us to meet the growing demand for our hospice services in our local community and will be making a valuable contribution and making a real difference to the lives of those we support.

"Whether you can offer a few hours a fortnight, a regular half day a week or would be interested in supporting a short-term project, there are many ways for you to give us your time, skills and energy."

The Heart of Kent Hospice relies on volunteers for many of its services

Sharon, a volunteer therapist who specialises in massage and aromatherapy, said: "It's all about putting a smile on patients' faces, and they love the fact they can chat to their friends over coffee while I move my stool around to provide non-intrusive therapies that can include hand and foot massages."

As well as the cream tea events, staff from the hospice will be on hand to answer questions outside the Mall Shop in Maidstone on 4 June.