Helpers Helpers Policy Helpers Application Form
The Society welcomes all age groups. Everyone involved is a voluntary Helper, freely giving his or her time and expertise to deliver the very best of care for our Pilgrims. This includes the Council Members and administrative personnel who regularly attend the office, to put into operation plans for the next Pilgrimage. Our spiritual leaders and helpers are given some financial support by the Society towards their expenses.
Helpers gain a huge amount of satisfaction from the pilgrimage. It is very hard work but most rewarding and fulfilling. You may start a trip knowing no one, but you will return with a group of people who you feel you have known for a lifetime and in some cases friendships are formed that last long into the future.
Clergy and Religious Groups
The Society pilgrimage has always been led by a distinguished and pre-eminent member of the Clergy. From 1990 till 2002 the Leader was the Rt. Rev. Christopher Budd, from Plymouth Diocese, supported by a large group of Priests and Nuns, who together tended to the spiritual needs of our pilgrims and helpers.
We welcome all Priests and all Religious who would like to accompany us. Can you help us?
If so please email us
Doctors and Nurses
A professional team of medical staff and their auxiliaries support us and are responsible for the provision of 24 hour medical care.
We welcome all Doctors and Nursing Staff who would like to accompany us. Can you help?
If so please email us
Helpers
Our helpers support our sick pilgrims with day-to-day tasks that do not require medical or other specialist training. From pushing wheelchairs, to feeding and cleaning, to loading our aircraft or just having a chat, our helpers are there to assist from the time we meet at the departure airport to the time we bid farewell on our return. It can be both tiring and very rewarding.
We welcome all helpers and a £150 grant is available to assist with expenses, if you travel with us and help us on the journey.
To apply, you may:
Click here to view or save an application form
If so please email us
Phone us on 020 8848 9833
Music Group
Our musicians lead the singing at all the services and provide entertainment for our guests on some evenings and social occasions. They are supported by up to 500 pilgrims - all of them in good voice!
We welcome all helpers who would like to accompany us. Can you help?
If so please email us
Youth Groups (see Youth Groups page!)
Over the years, whenever the pilgrimage dates coincide with UK schools half term we have had a number of youth groups supporting our pilgrimage: among them the Holy Family and St. Bede's Schools from Yorkshire and St. Michael's in Watford, London.
With their boundless enthusiasm and energy these young people are ready for action from sunrise to sunset and always make a great and valued contribution to our pilgrimage.
We welcome all Youth Groups who would like to accompany us. Can you help?
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A Thank You to all our Helpers
Blessed Mother Teresa said:
During Our Pilgrimage to Lourdes we often see many examples of our helpers feeding the hungry, clothing the naked and taking in the homeless in this way. We cannot thank them enough. Through their dedicated service they show us how to be "forgetful of oneself". They radiate the mission of of Our Blessed Mother and St. Bernadette.