People with floral flair sought for Hospiscare arrangements

Flower enthusiasts in Exeter are being sought to help a local charity provide a colourful and fragrant environment for its patients.

Hospiscare is looking for volunteers with a flair for flower arranging to join its flower team; arranging floral bouquets from small to bigger projects around the hospice.

The hospice, based on Dryden Road, Exeter, receives donations of flowers each week from funeral tributes and supporters of the charity, as well as a huge weekly donation from the Sainsbury’s store on Alphington Road.

Volunteers currently visit the hospice on a daily basis to turn the flowers into beautiful displays, which are watered and tended before being placed in patient and day rooms, as well as brightening up the trays which are brought to the patients each meal time.

But more volunteers are needed to ensure that patients and visitors to Hospiscare continue to enjoy the floral fragrances which brighten up their time at the hospice.

Linda Wilkerson, who has volunteered for more than 20 years at Hospiscare, explained that bringing a small part of nature to the patients can have an uplifting effect.

She said: “I think it does make a difference to peoples moods. Very often in hospitals you’re not able to have many flowers about. Here the nurses actually work around the flowers, appreciating the difference they make for the patients. We do have to be mindful of infection control but it is wonderful that patients can enjoy the flowers brought to their rooms.

“I think it must be a joy to anyone who’s not able to enjoy their gardens to have that bit of contact with something that’s living and colourful. It might remind them of a walk they’ve done or their own garden.”

Linda describes herself as a keen amateur when it comes to flower arranging. While she is a member of a flower club, and regularly makes arrangements for Exeter Cathedral and wedding parties, Linda said that anyone with an interest in flowers shouldn’t be put off from volunteering, as she herself has not had any formal training.

She said: “You don’t have to have a lot of experience you just have to have an interest. With the patients’ flowers, most of them are in vases and it’s just a question of changing the water each day and tidying them up.

“When you come to do the pedestal displays you need a bit more experience but anyone with a joy for flowers is very welcome to come and join us - even if it’s just a day a month.

“It’s nice to come into the hospice and have some contact [with the patients] and make the flowers a small part of somebody’s stay in here. Both the visitors and the patients notice the fresh flowers - it’s nice to have them about.”

For more information on becoming a Hospiscare flower volunteer call 01392 688005 or email volunteering@hospiscare.co.uk.