Volunteers share their stories for NHS 75

Noor Iqbal

I started volunteering to gain more experience for my career aspirations. It’s given me so much more than I realised – I feel my people skills have improved greatly, and I feel so fulfilled by the work I do. I have supported patients directly with providing refreshments and food and general chatting, which in turn helps the clinical staff focus on other things. In reception, one role I enjoy is supporting the bereavement team by collecting and delivering patients’ notes, which helps them focus on the families’ needs during their difficult times. I’ve made so many friends and I look forward to giving back by volunteering whenever I can. I’ll be studying medicine at university and I am thinking of eventually becoming a specialist in ophthalmology. Volunteering for the NHS has brought my dream one step closer!

Paula-Le-Moignan

I started my NHS career in recruitment in 2004. I decided to take early retirement in 2021 but I’ve always been proud of the NHS family –   especially of how we all pulled together during the pandemic. I knew I would miss the NHS and with a desire to ‘put something back’, I joined the volunteering team. Although I loved my admin role, volunteering has allowed me to see the front line and the direct support our clinical staff gives to patients. I love being part of the team and feel I make a real difference when I’m able to put someone at ease or help escort them round the hospital. I look forward to my shifts every week, especially the one in the mornings when I support patients in A & E.

Colin Marland

I was 6 years old  when the NHS was born. A tanker driver before retiring, it was my wife who showed me an advert in the newspaper for volunteers. I applied and started in 2019, just before the pandemic which unfortunately forced me to step down before I was dealt a devastating blow. I sadly lost my wife and went through a very unhappy time in my life. But I’m pleased to say it was volunteering that helped turned my life around when I was asked to return after the restrictions were lifted. With the full support of my family, there was only one answer and I have been part of the Fairfield General Hospital (FGH) volunteer team ever since.

Volunteering has genuinely been a lifesaver for me – connecting with others, chatting to patients and new friends, and making that difference to patients here at FGH. Every day I look forward to the camaraderie and chat. But also, because I work over four hours each day, I receive a complimentary meal in our restaurant – that’s lovely too, so thank you!