That was really close to home and it does make you aware of your own vulnerability.
45 stories for 45 years. Throughout 2026, we’re sharing the stories of our clients, volunteers and staff who make the Wessex Cancer Support community what it is.
Through our community’s lived experience of cancer, we can provide our clients with the tailored support they need.
In this article, John, a long-standing volunteer at our Chandler’s Ford Centre, shares his experience..
I originally saw an advert in the paper and I wanted to give something back, that’s how it started. Fourteen years later, I’m still volunteering with Wessex Cancer Support and it’s still giving me as much as it was then.
As a child, I was adopted by a very loving family. I think, being adopted, I was probably protected more as a child than some, but I did what my parents told me to do and I really enjoyed going out and meeting people.
As an adult, that enjoyment led to a (brief) career in the media. Starting as a Red Coat at Butlins, I went to Blackpool for a season as a compare. I got to do ‘Blankety Blank’ with Les Dawson (I’ve still got the cheque book and pen somewhere!) and even appeared in a skit opposite Sarah Lancashire (I played ‘medallion man’ in a wine bar!). My telly career was soon over but I’d learnt how to engage people so a career in sales beckoned after that.
After I retired, I was looking for something useful to do. My Mum had passed away with leukaemia and Dad also passed away with cancer when he was just 69.
That was really close to home and it does make you aware of your own vulnerability.
But when I saw the advert for the Support Volunteer role with Wessex Cancer Support, something clicked for me and I got in touch.
I started volunteering at the Winchester centre – when it was still there – helping to set it up. When it closed, I came to work at the Chandler’s Ford Centre instead. Over the years, I’ve got involved in all sorts of things. I remember comparing a fashion show a few years back; it was good fun and raised over £11,000 for Wessex Cancer Support. I’m an outgoing person so it’s the community support and the friendly environment that appeals to me most.
Having worked in sales, I learnt how to talk to people and get them to come out of their shell.
Here at Wessex, those same skills can help people to open up a little bit.
When I see someone new, I like to see myself as the ‘warm-up’ act for counselling! I like people, and I think I’ve been given these skills, and empathy, so I feel like I’ve been given a gift to use to make peoples’ lives better.
We do have a laugh here, too; it’s definitely not all doom and gloom. It’s great to be able to put people at ease, to make them feel cared for, and for them to leave us feeling so much better than when they first walked in. And it’s always nice to see our regulars coming in for coffee and activities; it’s great to catch-up with them.
Within the last two years, I’ve lost a couple of very close friends to cancer. Of course, I did what I could to encourage my friends to come forward but they weren’t really in a place where they could. In the end, I was able to support one friend’s wife. She knew what I did as a volunteering role, so although they didn’t come to the centre, I could still provide the type of support we offer here.
I’ve spent the last fourteen years seeing what a difference we can make to people.
We’re able to empower people to move on with their lives, whatever that looks like for them, and it’s such a positive thing to be able to do for anyone.
If anyone asked me about volunteering here at Wessex Cancer Support, I’d say “No pressure but give it a try.” You will get such a big lift from doing it, when you see the difference you can make for people. If you have any time to spare, you can make a huge impact for people, and you get to see that.
I volunteer on a Thursday and it’s never a chore; I always look forward to coming into the Centre.
It’s such a lovely team here and a really nice environment. After fourteen years, I’m still very happy to use my skills to give something back.
Our community provides a safe, supportive space for people affected by cancer. Through our emotional and wellbeing services, we provide the support to our communities in Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
We’ve been here for you since 1981.
You can call or email your local cancer support centre today, or drop in to speak to our friendly team.
And if you would like to learn more about volunteering and becoming part of #TeamWessex, you can see more about becoming a volunteer here.
