Lynn, of Preston, first began volunteering at Derian House in January 1994 before she took on a job in the housekeeping team two years later.
“I began volunteering in the kitchen for just one or two days a week – which I enjoyed.” Said Lynn.
“My two children were both still young at the time. I was a full-time mum so I did what I could around school time.
“I remember that the hospice began to get busier with more families coming and going –more support was needed and around that time I took on the job as housekeeper. Again, it was just a couple of days a week – but eventually it built up to full-time hours.
“There have been a lot of changes over the years – but our focus is always to be here for the families.” Said Lynn.
“I used to enjoy the gala days – there was a lot of work to do but they were brilliant, everyone enjoyed them. Lots of people always came along to support the hospice. I have one memory of being in the kitchen all day frantically cooking chips for everyone. And I remember Trevor, the General Manager at the time, selling Christmas cards to everyone even though it was only July!
“All sorts of unexpected things have happened over the years. I remember once a group of wrestlers came in – they were huge! They were really good with the kids.
“We always used to have lots of animals in the hospice too. We have had goldfish, rabbits and budgies, and one time someone donated a pony! But we couldn’t accept it.”
“When people ask where you work, they’ll say ‘I don’t know how you can do that’. But I always tell them – it’s not what you think at all. It’s a happy place. It’s all about making memories.
“What the hospice does has always hit home, having two children myself and now three grandchildren. Some of the children at Derian are the same age as my grandkids. I feel a lot for our families. I think we should all think about how we would want to be treated if we were in their position.
“Being a housekeeper at a hospice is different – we have a great team. We’re there to create a home from home for families and give them the best stay we can. We do what we can to take everyday stresses off them. We want to give the children and young people the best experiences we can.”
