Volunteer news

5th December marked International Volunteer Day. We would celebrate you all every day if we could! You gift us your time and help keep services and shops running smoothly and always with a smile! Thank you for every minute you spare to volunteer for us.

Some good news - we’ve secured short-term NHS funding to reopen four inpatient beds that were closed last year due to rising costs. This means more patients and families can access the specialised care they need this winter. But the funding only runs for four months, and the beds are set to close again in April 2026 unless long-term support is found.

Interim CEO Camilla Barrow said: “This is great news but while the funding is time-limited, the need for high-quality palliative care is not. As things stand, these beds will close again in April 2026, which is simply wrong when demand is so high.

“Unlike many NHS services, people on hospice waiting lists do not have time to wait. We need stable, reliable funding so all 31 beds can be open year-round.”

LOROS will keep doing everything we can—but sustainable investment is essential to ensure no one is denied the compassionate end-of-life care they deserve.

In case you missed it, here is the feature on BBC news a few weeks ago.

Looking for something that captures the magic of Christmas? Imagine the sparkle of fairy lights, the hum of happy engines, and Santa’s sleigh bells ringing through the air — that’s the Archer's Festive Tractor Run! It’s as Christmassy as snowflakes and hot chocolate, and you’re invited to be part of the fun! 

If you can spare a few hours for this feelgood fun event, LOROS would be so grateful. The Archer's Festive Tractor Run is the brainchild of Ryan Archer, an inspiring man who is also a patient at LOROS, and living with incurable cancer. He says: “My wife Emma leaves me to my fundraising because she can see that it distracts me. I’m not sitting there thinking about my illness. I’m busy and my only constraint is that there isn’t enough hours in the day.” Has that motivated you to give up just two hours to support this fantastic cause?! We hope so! 

Here's the details: 

Archer's Festive Tractor Run December 2025 – bucket collection volunteers wanted for 2 hours! 

We are privileged and excited to be working with the Archer's Festive Tractor run once again and are in need of bucket collectors along the route (collecting for 4 charities in total), helping to take donations whilst spectators line the streets to enjoy the Tractor Run. 

Dress for the weather as this is outdoors but enjoy the tractor run full of lights, music and festive joy through the streets of Warwickshire & South Leicestershire. 

You will be met at a pre-agreed location, provided with a high vis and a sealed bucket which is then handed in at the end of the parade. We ask you to move on foot safely through the crowds accepting donations from the public for the duration of the tractors passing by. 

Saturday 20th December – Hillmorton the Paddox area, Rugby – 4.30pm – 6.30pm 

Sunday 21st December – Lutterworth, 3.45pm – 5.30pm 

Sunday 21st December – Broughton Astley, 4.30pm – 6pm 

Sunday 21st December – Peatling Magna, 5.45pm – 7.15pm 

Sunday 21st December – Lutterworth, 7pm – 8.30pm 

Please do get in touch if you are able to help and contact fundraising@loros.co.uk 

A huge heartfelt thank you to everyone who was able to attend our Light Up a Life service on Sunday to honour and remember their loved ones.

A big thank you to all of the performers and volunteers who helped to make it such a memorable evening.

Highcross Leicester are hosting a Christmas Panto and Grotto every Saturday in December and would like for us to be there to take donations. They are not charging the families for their Santa visit so would like us to have some bucket collectors there as an opportunity to raise funds for LOROS.

In addition to this we will have the Heart of England Chorus singing before the pantomime on the morning of Saturday 13th December and then the LOROS singers on Saturday 20th December.

You can register to support this event by clicking on the QR code below and completing the forms to register via this link.

We are also in desperate need for volunteers to collect our charity boxes from locations all over the county. These boxes are vital- those pennies make pounds- and lots of them! We have had so many calls from shops and businesses who would like the boxes emptied so that they can continue to support us, please help up to collect and empty as many as possible!

Here are the main locations we need you help in. If you live locally in one of these areas and can offer a couple of hours every month- please get in touch!

·        Ashby de la Zouch LE65

·        Coalville/Ibstock/Markfield LE67

·        Hinckley LE10

·        Lutterworth LE17

·        Market Harborough LE15

·        Desford/Market Bosworth CV13

·        Loughborough and surrounding villages LE12/LE11

·        Leicester city LE1

·        Oadby LE2

·        Wigston LE18

·        Melton Mowbray and surrounding villages LE14

·        Oakham and surrounding villages LE15

·        Blaby LE7

We are also in desperate need for enthusiastic, positive and fun individuals to help us go out to schools and colleges to inspire a new generation of young people to understand more about Hospice care and how they may be able to support us! The role will involve you going to schools, delivering short assemblies and speaking to small groups of children. You may even be paired up with our famous mascot, Lionel!

Here are some locations and dates below. If you would like to give it a go, we will provide you with all the support and information you need!

• 12th November          The Hinckley School

• 14th November          Ellesmere College

• 17th November          Stokeswood Primary  3.30pm- 6pm

• 19th November          Stokeswood Primary  3.30pm – 6pm

• 23rd November          Christmas Light switch on - LOROS stall

• 26th November   Rawlins Academy 8.15am start and set up stall to talk to young people about LOROS

• 13th December          Fullhurst Christmas fair

• 21st January              Ellesmere College

• 2nd March                  Stokes wood Primary 3.30pm – 6pm

• 4th March                   Stokeswood Primary  3.30pm – 6pm

• 18th March                 Melton Vale Sixth Form Careers Fair

Some of us can struggle with our mental health and wellbeing during the colder months, especially amid the pressures of the festive season. It’s okay to feel a bit down or overwhelmed sometimes, and if you’re looking for ways to look after your wellbeing at this challenging time of year, please have a look at some of the help and support you can receive from the charities below:

For winter mental health, key charities include:

Mind, Samaritans, and the Mental Health Foundation, offering vital support through helplines (like Samaritans' 116 123) and online resources, while specific groups like CALM (for men) and PAPYRUS (for young people) provide targeted help, addressing seasonal low moods, loneliness, and financial stress with practical tips and confidential listening services. 

Key charities and helplines

• Mind: Offers extensive info on winter mental health, helplines (0300 123 3393), and an online community (Side by Side).

• Samaritans: Free, confidential support 24/7 via 116 123, perfect for anyone feeling low.

• Mental Health Foundation: Provides practical tips and campaigns for winter wellness.

• CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably): Focuses on men's mental health with a helpline (0800 58 58 58).

• PAPYRUS (HOPELINEUK): Support for young people struggling with suicidal thoughts (0800 068 4141, text 07786 209 697).

• YoungMinds Crisis Messenger: Free 24/7 text support (text YM to 85258) for young people. 

Winter-specific support

• The Trussell Trust: Offers help through hardship, crucial when financial strain hits in winter (0808 208 2138).

• The Silver Line: For lonely older people (0800 4 70 80 90).

• Dose of Nature: Promotes connection with nature for mental health benefits. 

Tips for winter wellbeing

• Stay connected: Combat loneliness through social groups or online communities like Mind's.

• Get outdoors: Even short periods in nature can reduce stress (Dose of Nature).

• Manage finances: Use resources like MoneyHelper if money worries are high.

• Recognise symptoms: Be aware of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) or increased anxiety/depression.

• Grounding techniques: Use breathing and sensory exercises to manage overwhelm.