A VOLUNTEER at a local hospice has spent 13 years devoting her time to put a smile on families faces.

Pauline Price, 73 from Worcester, began her voluntary work in 2011 at the Royal Worcestershire Hospital. Unfortunately, due to Mrs Price developing arthritis, she had to take an early retirement, which also meant giving up what she loved most - volunteering.

Two years later, the new Acorns Children’s Hospice was being built in St Peters Drive, Worcester.

“What a place to volunteer,” she said.

The opportunity inspired Mrs Price to do some charitable work once again. After being accepted, she received the adequate training and began her journey within her role.

Mrs Price said: “I enjoy every moment I am there. My aim is to put a smile on people’s faces – and I am pleased to say I do this quite often! I love to be able to help people and try to make life a bit better for them.

“I am a very emotional person. When I told my family that I wanted to volunteer at Acorns they did not think I would be able to do it.

“At times you wonder if the child is aware that you are there but when you suddenly get a smile from them it is clear they know you are with them!”

Mrs Price offers services in the following three areas: befriending, reception and helping in the kitchen.

She added: “Befriending a child can be done in so many ways: sitting talking to them; talking to them while taking them round the lovely gardens in their wheelchairs; sitting reading to them; doing art work; playing musical instruments or just lying quietly with them in the Sensory Room.

“I enjoy working in the kitchen very much. My duties are usually filling and emptying the dishwashers and clearing the tables after meals.

“I go on reception in the afternoon. I get to know so many people whilst sitting in reception. I am a person that loves to talk to other people, so this is my ideal job!”

Mrs Price has been kept busy over the years as she also volunteers for MacMillan Cancer Support.

She added: “This is very different to Acorns but just as enjoyable. It is very sad when someone comes into the Hub when they feel everything is going against them, but by talking and listening to them, we can usually make them feel much happier. We can give them advice on so many things.

“I hope I can carry on volunteering for another few years and continue to enjoy doing my two jobs.”