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Sybil finds happiness

by Diane Leach
8/ 7/2008

SYBIL Chapman found more than just new friends as a volunteer at Springhill Hospice.

For 11 years after taking early retirement, the former St Cuthbert’s High School teacher married fellow hospice volunteer Derek.

The couple got together just over five years ago and married in 2004. Explaining why she became a volunteer, Mrs Chapman said: "I wanted to do something. At the time I was unsure what, but as I knew three different people at Springhill, I decided to give it a try. And I can honestly say it was the best thing I ever did. It’s addictive – I started doing a half day and ended up doing four a week."

For her husband, his introduction to the hospice was a much sadder experience when his wife of almost 40 years, Ann, died there.

The father-of-four said: "Ann was in the hospice for a week up to her death on Boxing Day in 2001. In a way I’ve been here ever since."

Derek first got involved by picking up patients and driving them to the day care centre and doing any little odd jobs, then started to give a hand in the finance office.

Over time, he and Sybil got chatting over lunch and became friends. But it took a couple of matchmakers to get them together, who arranged they went for a bar snack at the local pub.

Mrs Chapman said: "When you’re in your sixties, it’s make or break, and we realised we had the same interests and values. We have never looked back. We’re so compatible."

Family and friends have been very supportive, she said. And the mother of two added: "We are very happy and are very grateful for the love we have received."

These days they work their two half-day shifts together, Sybil as a volunteer on reception and her husband helping out where needed. The couple, who live in Shawclough and have eight grandchildren between them, said they can highly recommend becoming a hospice volunteer.

"Whatever your interests, the hospice will offer you something in that capacity and will fit in with you," said Mrs Chapman. They really know how to bring out your talents."

Despite the serious nature of its work and, inevitably the sadness, Springhill Hospice is a positive place to be. And without the dedication of its volunteers, there is little doubt it could not survive.

To find out more about becoming a volunteer at the hospice, contact Sarah Ford on 649920.

Click here for the latest on our Springhill Hospice Appeal