Think of volunteering at Isabel Hospice and our charity shop volunteers, event marshals and collection tin shakers may be the first to spring to mind.
But in fact, there are many varied volunteer roles to get involved in, each helping to enrich every aspect of our work and enabling us to achieve our vision of outstanding palliative care for all.
As an organisation, we are incredibly lucky to be able to draw upon the experience and expertise of people like Peter Bussey, who has been one of our volunteer photographers since 2010.
Over the years, he has helped capture a multitude of milestones for us, from fundraising events and shop openings to VIP visits, helping us to raise vital awareness of our work. He is also one of our Compassionate Neighbours.
Peter began his photography career almost 70 years ago, starting as a darkroom assistant after leaving school in 1952.
When he was called up for National Service, he joined the RAF as a photographer, seconded to Bomber Squadron aerial reconnaissance. Afterwards, he worked as a freelance photographer and in 1978 became joint owner of Newington Studios in London.
His many career highlights include photographing The Beatles when they performed at the Majestic Ballroom in Finsbury Park and Muhammed Ali during a lecture tour at The Rainbow Theatre, also in Finsbury Park.
As a lifelong Arsenal fan he was honoured to photograph the club’s staff in 1998 after the team won the double.
Peter retired from full time photography in 2002. He was inspired to start volunteering for Isabel by the care his late wife Eileen received at the Hospice before she passed away in 2009.
He said: “Photography has been a way of life for me and I still enjoy doing it as much as I did as a teenager 70 years ago.
“I am lucky enough to be able to use my skill for the benefit of the Hospice as a thanks for the way my late wife was looked after in the Isabel In-Patient Unit.”
You can find details of our latest Volunteer vacancies here.
