When Tom responded to an advert he’d seen on the Bolton Hospice Facebook page, he had no idea how much it would change his life.

Tom Knights-Rigler, now aged 22 from Astley Bridge, had suffered from anxiety for several years and had not been able to gain employment.  It was suggested to him that finding a volunteer position could improve his confidence and self-esteem, and the position at our Old Bank Café was local to his home and appealed to his interests.

After being supported by his mother at the interview and during the induction process, Tom soon settled into a regular volunteering shift at the café, and thanks to the support of the staff, other volunteers and the regular customers, he quickly made friends and started to grow in confidence.

After 4 months of volunteering, Tom has now started his first paid job this week as a Porter at Manchester Grammar School, and has thanked Bolton Hospice for helping him on his journey!

“I’ve grown my circle of support by volunteering for the hospice, and I now feel like an active part of my local community again.  The café has been such a safe space for me to be in, and I’ve not been forced into doing things until my confidence grew.

The experience has changed my outlook on everything in my life – it even gave me the confidence to drive and visit my grandparents in Cambridgeshire on New Year’s Eve, something that I’ve not felt able to do in a very long time! I will miss everyone at the café, but will visit as often as possible.”

The café is situated adjacent to the charity’s shop, next to Asda on Hillview Road, and is open from 10am-3.30pm, Monday to Saturday and 11am-2pm Sunday, serving speciality tea and coffee, breakfast, light lunches and delicious cakes. The hospice are currently looking for new volunteers across the borough to offer a minimum of 3 hours per week in one of their charity shops or the Old Bank Café.

“We are so proud of Tom - under the management of our staff he has excelled within this voluntary role, and he even did extra shifts for us! Whilst we will miss him immensely, we are so happy that his confidence has grown so much that has led him to getting a job – good luck Tom from everyone at Bolton Hospice!” - Cathy Wright, Head of Retail at Bolton Hospice.

To find out more about volunteering opportunities with the hospice, click here or call 01204 663 055.