Local businesses that support the hospice will be able to draw on the experience and expertise of businesswomen Jenny Pridding free of charge as part of her new role as Hospice Ambassador.
A long-standing, committed and enthusiastic hospice supporter, Jenny was formerly a director of long-established family haulage business Edge Transport.
“Every time I walk through the doors of this amazing place it genuinely feels like coming home to family. That is how the hospice and its people make me feel. “My dad, mum and brother-in-law were all cared for here and so I’ve seen first-hand how good the hospice team is at caring for patients and relatives during what has to be the most challenging time of their lives.”
Jenny continued: “Most of us in that situation can often feel helpless, hopeless and clueless about what to do, what to think and how to feel. That’s where the remarkable team comes into its own. “They’re not just there to provide fantastic medical support and comfort to patients: they know just what to say and do for loved ones in these most difficult of circumstances and you cannot put a price on that.
“Experiencing all of that for myself, on more than one occasion, and being so grateful for everything that was done for my own loved ones is what makes me so keen to give something back to the hospice. “The way I can best do that is to use what I have learned in my various business roles and make that knowledge and practical support available to local business of any size and sector as a ‘thank you’ for their own support for the work of the hospice.”
As part of her role, Jenny will help businesses structure their support for the hospice in a way that enhances corporate culture and maximises the benefit to their employees in terms of learning, morale-building and team engagement.
“Sometimes we can leave an event inspired to get behind a cause like the hospice but by the time we get back to the office, we’re not sure how to make it happen and then life gets in the way. I can help make those things happen. “However, it’s not a one-sided arrangement,” Jenny explains. “In exchange for their support, I can offer measured input to business leaders and teams in areas such as leadership development, team engagement, account management, business strategy, sales, workshops, proposals and presentations, and lead development.”
“I can’t think of a better way of honouring the memory of my loved ones and supporting the hospice than by using my skills to make things better wherever I can for the leaders and teams of those business that choose to support us.”
She added: “I may not be able to have the time to meet every challenge for every business that I come into contact with but I know that I will be able to make a difference and I hope those businesses will get in touch to discuss how I might be able to help.”
Jenny can be contacted on jenny.pridding@hospicegs.com