Volunteer humbled by hospital experience

A VOLUNTEER is encouraging other people to follow in his footsteps by giving up their spare time after describing his experience as “humbling and fulfilling”.

Peter Bates, of Brampton-Bierlow, started volunteering at Weston Park Hospital after retiring and wanting to give back to the health service after being a patient himself.   

Volunteers at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust including Peter were recently presented the prestigious Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service by the Lord Lieutenant of South Yorkshire, Prof Dame Hilary Chapman.  

Handing over the award, Dame Chapman told volunteers: “I have been reminded about the utter breadth and spread of roles you undertake as volunteers and you have shown such enormous flexibility in the roles you undertake.”

Emma Scott, voluntary services manager, said the volunteers were “highly valued”, adding: “I never fail to be amazed by the dedication and commitment they show to improving the experience of our patients in hospital.”

Peter (69) said: “I have been volunteering on the Chemotherapy Day Care Ward one afternoon a week for coming up for a year now.

“I serve lunches when I arrive and then follow this up during the afternoon with a few rounds with the trolley providing hot and cold drinks, and biscuits.

“In the background, I keep the dishwasher in constant use and try and keep things in the kitchen as tidy and clean as possible — as much as a man can, of course!

“I’m now pretty much fully retired so you have to think what's the best use of all this newly created time that you have.”

He added: “I’ve had to use the NHS a couple of times for some serious surgery and during those times I always thought that if I had the chance then I’d like to give something back that would contribute in some way.    

“I really enjoy working alongside the nursing staff. The role seems to dovetail in with the great work that they do.  

“It’s also great to form relationships with the patients.

“You have to be aware of their demeanour and respect their feelings, of course.

“Some just want to sit their quietly but I’ve been able to form some great relationships with others. That’s so humbling and fulfilling.”

And his message to other would-be volunteers?

“If you have the time and the inclination then I would say ‘go for it’ as you’ll get so much out of it.”