Volunteering for Claire House helped mum-of-five lose three stones

When she started volunteering in Claire House Hospice Shop more than two years ago, single mum-of-five Kerry Parle was overweight and lost.

“I was feeling really low and I didn’t talk much,” admits Kerry, 47, from South Liverpool.

Now she’s celebrating a new-found confidence and ‘getting my life back’.

And she adds: “All the moving around there has helped me to lose three stones too!”

Kerry started volunteering for Claire House Children’s Hospice, a charity that supports seriously and terminally ill children and their families, in October 2021, working in its shop in Hunts Cross.

Looking after five children, including her 12-year-old-daughter who was born with spina bifida and two sons who are autistic, means Kerry is unable to take on a full-time paid job as she needs to be on constant standby for them.

But she was keen to do something.

Kerry says: “I had come out of a difficult relationship and I was feeling really low.

“I had put weight on and I needed to find myself again. I have some issues with my health and, at the time, I was really nervous about committing to something my body couldn’t handle.

“Volunteering was a good way to keep me moving, in a way that allowed me to take everything at my own pace.”

Kerry also wanted to give something back.

“I’m a mum of five and so I know how it feels when your child is sick; my daughter was rushed for an operation immediately after she was born. 

“Thankfully she’s doing okay now but I still need to be alert to her condition. But that’s why I chose Claire House. I can understand the worry, and the worry I have, and had, is only a small part of what the families the hospice supports are going through.”

Kerry volunteers for four hours a day, four days a week, in the hospice shop.

Her work involves sorting through stock and donations, serving customers and chatting to them as they come in, and she takes great pride in dressing the windows to create attractive and welcoming displays.

“I’ve been given more responsibilities the longer I have been here,” explains Kerry. “It’s been two years now and it’s helped massively.

“I’m more confident, I feel happier and, being on my feet and moving about more, I’m nearly three stones lighter! 

“I went from a size 18 to a size 14 and I’m still on that journey. I go walking too, I’ll be a size 12 soon.

“There are some days I still struggle but they’re so understanding. I know I can still come in and take breaks if I need to. I’ve even been able to do some things sitting down when I need to.

“Having something to do while the kids are in school has been really good too. Instead of being bored at home, I’ve been in the shop.

“I love it here. I like to help people, and this lets me do that. Everyone gets on and I’ve made friends for life.

“Volunteering for Claire House has helped me get my life back and my self-esteem back. It’s been my saviour.”

Jessica Murray, Volunteer Community Coordinator at Claire House Children’s Hospice, says:

“It’s been a pleasure to see Kerry flourish, while making a huge difference volunteering at her local Claire House Children’s Hospice shop.

“Kerry’s individual journey has been very inspiring to all at Claire House. 

“Volunteering at Claire House offers so many health benefits, from lowering stress to boosting self-confidence, so if Kerry’s story has inspired anyone to volunteer, please get in touch.” 

Claire House Children’s Hospice couldn’t exist without the support of volunteers.  For more information about volunteering in one of its shops, visit here.

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