Alan

"I volunteer befriending patients in hospital by helping to lift their spirits emotionally, getting various items of shopping etc.  I go from patient to patient, and usually cover three wards in a morning.

When I retired I found I had some time to give something back to the community and decided to enrol on a couple of courses.  One of the tutors suggested volunteering and I’m now in my seventh year!

I love what I do because I get tremendous satisfaction out of helping others.  When you give of yourself everyone benefits.  Now that I’m retired I can no longer do great things, but I can do small things with great love.

 

 

Irene

"I was a patient myself at Derriford and experienced the help of a ward visitor during my stay and this is what led me to start volunteering. 

At first I thought it would be just a way to occupy my time but I very soon found out I could give comfort to patients, sometimes confidence and sometimes just a smile, but these have all been incredibly rewarding.

I sometimes help with shopping but I especially enjoy chatting and listening."

To find out more about volunteering click here