A hospice is calling on people to be among the first to volunteer at its new centre due to open this summer.

St Luke’s Hospice will be holding an open day for people to find out more about the volunteering opportunities available at the new Woodgrange Centre, which is due to be completed in July.

The hospice needs drivers, qualified complementary therapists, daycare volunteers and people or groups who are able to run art, crafts, music, cake decorating or similar sessions with the patients.

Daycare volunteer Joan Dawson first started helping at St Luke’s after she retired in 2008.

She said: “I used to work in the community and had links with patients who have been looked after at St Luke’s.

“When I retired, I rang up the hospice to see if I could volunteer to help the patients because I wanted to make someone’s life a little more pleasant and happy.

“I feel like I’m giving something back to the community.

“Even if it is just for two hours, whatever you can offer is good and everybody can do something worthwhile.”

The volunteering two information events will take place on Thursday May 29 at St Luke’s Hospice, in Kenton Road from 10.30am to 12pm and 3pm to 4.30pm.

To register for one of the session people can email volunteering@stlukes-hospice.org, call 0208 382 8000.