Supporting Blythe House: A day of volunteering and community spirit

12th November 2025 11:41

Voluteering is part of the fabric of our organisation as every DJS Research Partner is encouraged to take a day out of their working calendar to support a charity or cause that means something to them. Earlier this month some of our team spent their volunteering day with a member of the Blythe House Hospice community group and here's how they got on...

Article by SRE Francesca Wood

Last week, my colleague Molly Davies and I spent the day volunteering with Blythe House, a local charity that provides expert hospice care in home and support for people across the High Peak. The team began by welcoming us with a tour of their offices, offering a closer look at the range of services they provide and the incredible impact they have on individuals and families in the community.

Blythe House Jingle Bell Jog 2025 details

After our introduction, we joined a member of the community team to help put up signage and banners promoting the upcoming Jingle Bell Jog, which will take place in Buxton’s Pavilion Gardens on 7 December. The event raises funds and awareness for Blythe House, bringing together runners, families, and supporters to celebrate the season while contributing to a great cause.

During the day, we also visited several of Blythe House’s charity shops. There, we saw the process from sorting donations through to displaying and selling items -a reminder of the many hands and hearts behind each shop. One volunteer shared his inspiring story of how he once received care from Blythe House and now dedicates his time to giving back, a reflection of the charity’s lasting impact on those it helps.

It was a rewarding experience to spend the day alongside such dedicated staff and volunteers. Supporting Blythe House not only gave us a deeper appreciation of their work but also reminded us of the power of community in action.

Both Molly and I would strongly encourage anyone to use their volunteer day to support Blythe House - ours was definitely a day well spent. And for the active amongst us - why not sign up to their annual Jingle Bell Jog for a bit of festive fundraising fun?!