What difference can a weekly visit make? Nathalie’s story shows how even a short visit can break up long days and mean so much to someone living with a terminal illness.
I’ve never forgotten what volunteers did for my mum
Over 10 years ago, my mum was in a Marie Curie hospice with a terminal illness, and one thing I’m most grateful for was the incredible volunteers. It’s something that’s stayed with me ever since.
Last year, I wanted to volunteer in my new area and came across the Marie Curie Companion role, supporting people living with a terminal illness. It felt like an obvious choice to give back to a charity that had such a big impact on my life, while becoming part of my community.
I get to be a companion to the sweetest lady
I visit the loveliest lady, who is living with stage four heart failure that significantly affects her breathing. She lost her husband of 64 years, who she misses greatly, and I’ve been lucky enough to learn about him.
She has five children, 10 grandchildren, and great-grandchildren who come and see her regularly and take her out. Although her family comes often, the quieter hours in between can feel long, so she was looking for someone to break up those moments.
I really admire her gratitude for the life she’s lived and her family. She inspires me. Every time I come, she has a book on the go and has finished another crossword book.
Small visits make a big difference
Her breathing causes her discomfort and tires her easily, so my visits are usually quite brief. Knowing that even a short stay makes a difference to her week is exactly why I’m there.
I usually go once a week during my lunch break while I’m working from home. We catch up on what we’ve been doing over the past week, who’s come to see her, and the outings she’s had. I also like showing her photos of what I’ve been up to and sharing what’s going on in my life.
Her gratitude means everything
Every time I’m there, I have one of those ‘this is why I’m here’ moments. She often tells me how grateful she is that I’ve come to see her, and that means the world. I always leave feeling so pleased I signed up for this role.
She has written me a few little notes over the time I’ve been a Marie Curie Companion. One of them simply thanked me for coming to see her.
Being part of her support network
She’s told me it’s a comfort to her family knowing I pop in each week. Sometimes I’ll hear her tell family on the phone that ‘her friend Nat’ is here, which always means a lot to me. It reminds me how much these visits matter, not just to her, but to the people around her too.
One week, I arrived while her daughter was there. It was lovely to finally put a face to the name, and she told me how much she appreciated me coming.
A moment that stayed with me
One moment that stands out is the day before an interview I was nervous about. She wished me luck as I left, so I was very happy to share my good news with her the next week.
When I visited again, she had written me a congratulations card. I was so touched by the gesture. It meant so much to me.
It matters so much
I’m so glad I signed up to volunteer with Marie Curie. I feel incredibly grateful to give back to a charity that gave me something really special, and to support people living with a terminal illness.
If you want to connect with someone in your community and do something meaningful for them and the people around them, this role is for you. The Marie Curie team check in with you and offer you opportunities to meet other volunteers if you have concerns.
Become a Marie Curie Companion and support people living with a terminal illness in your local community. Just a small amount of your time can make a big difference.