Behind 40 years of care, volunteers remain the heart of hospice work

As East Rand Palliative Care marks 40 years of care and support, it is the people behind the scenes who give that milestone its meaning.

For Sharon Cope, volunteering has been part of her life for nearly three decades.

Her journey began simply. A friend introduced her to Hospice work at a time when services were far less structured.

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“The first hair I ever did was in a bathroom. We used to wash a patient’s hair over the bath.

“That was before we even had a salon. It wasn’t only about doing someone’s hair. People came for the social side. Tea, conversation, just being around others. That’s what made it special,” Cope shared.

A trained hairdresser who once ran a salon in London, Cope found a way to use her skills where they mattered most.

As the organisation grew, so did her role, becoming part of a daycare space that offered more than just care.

Over time, that space became a place of dignity and connection for many patients, but as care needs evolved, so did the way support was delivered. Today, Sharon works alongside the nursing team, visiting patients in their homes.

“It’s about making them feel a bit better, even if it’s just doing their hair,” Cope added.

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Her contribution, however, extends beyond patient care.

Behind the scenes, she also gives her time at the charity shop depot, helping sort through donated items before they are distributed to the organisation’s shops for resale.

It is a different kind of support, but just as essential in sustaining the work of palliative care.

Like many long-standing volunteers, Cope has seen how things have changed. Daycare, once a busy weekly gathering supported by a full team, now runs on a much smaller scale.

“We used to have four caregivers and a full room of patients. It worked because enough people were involved. We need more volunteers. You can’t run something like that with just one person,” Cope further added.

hat shift highlights what she believes is one of the organisation’s biggest needs today. For Cope, volunteering has always been personal.

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Losing her mother at a young age and later facing her own cancer journey shaped her connection to Hospice care. According to Cope, they were there for her, so it becomes a circle, you give back.

Yet what stands out most in her experience is not only the impact, but the feeling of being part of something.

For her, it’s social, it’s uplifting, and people work together and support each other. Whether it’s helping at events, supporting fundraising efforts, working in the depot, or spending time with patients, she believes there is a place for anyone willing to get involved.

“Not everyone has a full day to give, but even an hour helps. There’s always something that needs doing. Just do it. Get involved. You’ll be surprised at what you get back,” Cope said.