Day in the life of Beth, Community Fundraising Assistant at Dove House.

Hello, my name is Beth and I am a Community Fundraiser & Engagement Assistant at Dove House. I joined the Fundraising team at the hospice early this year.

No two days are ever quite the same in my role, and that’s one of the things I love most about it.

A typical week for me might involve preparing for upcoming appeals, delivering school assemblies to raise awareness about what Dove House does and why it’s so important to support us, or being out in the community meeting potential supporters and promoting our latest campaigns.

Fundraising at Dove House is about turning community compassion into care. It’s about ensuring comfort, dignity and support during one of life’s most vulnerable times. The funds we raise are essential; they enable us to provide compassionate end of life care and vital support to patients and their families when they need it most.

What I enjoy most about being part of the Dove House team is the shared commitment across every department. No matter their role, everyone works together with genuine care and compassion for patients and families during incredibly difficult times. It’s amazing to see just how much heart goes into everything we do.
When I joined two months ago, the first thing that stood out to me was how welcoming everyone was. There’s such a strong sense of support between departments, and it’s clear that patients and their families are at the very heart of everything we do.

Building relationships within the community is a huge part of my role. I focus on regular, meaningful communication, whether that’s face-to-face conversations, attending community events, giving talks or following up with supporters.

I believe in building trust by being honest, reliable and consistent, and by representing Dove House’s values in everything I do. My goal is to truly embed the hospice within the local community, collaborating with schools, businesses, community groups and volunteers, and treating them as valued partners rather than simply donors. It’s about creating strong, lasting relationships.

On a typical day, I work closely with our Community Fundraiser, Tiff, to plan events and support with promotion. Recently, I’ve been delivering lots of assemblies in both primary and secondary schools, helping young people understand what the hospice does and where their fundraising money goes.

I also spend time out in the community meeting potential supporters, promoting the hospice and raising awareness of our appeals.

One of the most rewarding moments in my role is after an event, when we see how much has been raised. It’s incredible to know that all the hard work and preparation have paid off, and even more special knowing that those funds will make such a meaningful difference to families in our community during very difficult times.
Dove House is such a local charity, and it’s surprising how many people you meet who have been supported by the hospice in some way. Almost everyone has a story, and they all speak about how special it is.

My own family has experienced support from Dove House first-hand, so I truly understand how amazing the care is. That personal connection makes my role even more meaningful.

What motivates me every day is knowing that my work directly supports patients and families when they need it most. Hearing people’s stories and seeing the impact of the hospice’s compassion reinforces just how valuable our fundraising efforts are.

Although I’ve only been here for two months, I’ve already had the opportunity to support several appeals, including the Tinsel Tree Trot, which raised almost £60,000, the Pub to Pub Santa Walk, and the Christmas Tree Appeal. Being part of those successes so early on has been incredibly rewarding.
I work closely with colleagues across the hospice, sharing stories and feedback from the community to help shape our fundraising activity and messaging so it truly reflects the work we do. I’m always keen to get involved in events, campaigns and engagement opportunities to maximise our impact.

Looking ahead, I hope we continue to grow in strength, creativity and community involvement, ensuring the hospice can continue providing compassionate care and support to patients and their families. I’d love to build even deeper connections within our community and create more opportunities for people to get involved.
Personally, I’m excited to continue learning and growing in my role. I’m especially looking forward to starting my Community Fundraising apprenticeship next month, which will help me develop new skills and support the hospice in the best way possible.

Being part of Dove House is truly special, and I’m proud to play a small part in the incredible difference it makes every day.