“This is really precious work,” Sandra Joy says, reflecting on her role as a Victoria Hospice volunteer.
“I think there’s often a huge openness that people experience at the end of their lives – there is nothing else but where they’re at. If you, as a volunteer, can meet them in the moment by just allowing the space to be there for them – by listening to their words, by a touch or a smile, by reading a favourite verse to them, or holding a glass of water while they sip – then this is precious work.”
Sandra previously enjoyed a long and active career as a systems analyst and change management consultant in the early transformative era of IT in South Africa and later in Canada and the U.S.
Over her 14 years of involvement with Victoria Hospice, Sandra has contributed as an Inpatient Unit volunteer, mentor, admin support person, and as a member of a Volunteer Advisory Council where her thoughtful questions and constructive feedback have been greatly valued.
“Sandra Joy is a volunteer who goes above and beyond,” says Volunteer Coordinator Julia Dawson. “As her last name indicates, she brings ‘joy’ to her every interaction.”
Sandra has an early (7 am) shift on the Inpatient Unit and acknowledges that every shift is different. There is always a check in with the care team re the status of patients, and after that attending to whatever need is most pressing: answering patient call bells, making coffee, chatting with family who may have stayed overnight, helping with personal care and breakfast, providing companionship at the bedside, laundry, etc. She provides a wholehearted, calm, and caring presence. Sandra recently received a Victoria Hospice Honorary Lifetime Membership award, given to volunteers who have demonstrated exemplary service. She is recognized as an invaluable team player with many skills that benefit both the organization and people receiving Hospice care.