Meet Mandy, one of Strathcarron's inspirational Women profiled to mark International Women's Day.

Mandy has worked in Strathcarron Hospice for 11 years and her smiling enthusiasm, Irish charm and skill as a real people person will be missed, as Mandy is due to retire at the end of the month. We wish her all the very best!

1. What are the 3 main things you do at Strathcarron?

I work in the Community Development team recruiting and supporting Compassionate Neighbour volunteers. I help build relationships with people and groups in local communities; connecting people with a volunteer or to events in their community to help ease loneliness and isolation.

2.Who's the most interesting person you've ever met? I have heard Desmond Tutu, Tim Peake, Doddie Weir and Ranulph Fiennes talk and all extremely influential, charismatic men, but the person who had a big impact on me was my high school geography teacher, Mrs Craig. She taught me the wonder and awe of the world, gave me a love of travel and from whom I first heard my favourite quote, "Nothing is Impossible. The word itself says 'I'm possible.'"

3. What would be your super power? To invent a recipe for calorie-free wine, crisps, chocolate and Strathcarron Hospice Empire Biscuits!

4. What has been your best ever Strathcarron day or memory at work and why?

Oh, so many! One special day was when I introduced a compassionate neighbour volunteer to a lady with advanced dementia. For the first 15 minutes there was little conversation or connection. The lady was very distant and uninterested. Her husband then mentioned they had lived in France for a few years, 20 years previously. The volunteer then started speaking in French and the lady's face lit up with the biggest smile. She immediately started to converse in French and became very animated and chatty. I left the 2 ladies singing the French national anthem 'La Marseillaise'.

That was a memorable afternoon. ⠀

Why not make 2022 the year you volunteer with us? We'd love to hear from you, so please get in touch via email and find out more: [email protected] ⠀

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