Ever wondered what a day in the life of a volunteer looks like? Our volunteers share their a glimpse into their valuable contributions.
Jim Tripp
My name is Jim Tripp, I’ve been a volunteer at The QEH for 25 years. I volunteer every Wednesday on the children’s ward, Rudham, and was delighted to have been named Volunteer of the Year at the 2023 Team QEH Awards.
I like to help in any way that I can. I help to sort out meals when the food trolley arrives and keep water jugs topped up. I run wrrands for the ward staff, collecting notes or picking up medicines from the pharmacy.
Most importantly I am also chief toy fixer, and love helping to entertain our young patients. Hospital can be a scary place to be when you are an adult, but for children it is especially tough. I like to find ways to put smiles back on little faces and make their stay as good as it can be.
I really enjoy decorating the ward for Easter and Christmas to help the children feel involved in celebrations while they are in hospital.
I try to be a listening ear for parents too. I have children and grandchildren myself and know how worried I have been when they’re poorly.
Now that I am over 70, people have asked if I am thinking about slowing down. I love what I do and want to keep going as long as I can. My other passion is collecting match boxes. I have over 100,000, but am always looking for new ones to add to the collection.
Linda Lingard
I began my volunteering at The QEH three years ago after I retired from my job of 30 years as a post lady. I felt I have plenty left to offer and becoming a volunteer fitted well with my desire to help others.
Working at The QEH ticked all the boxes for me, helping and supporting visitors face to face. Some people can be very nervous or anxious when they get here and I enjoy being able to reassure them and guide them through their visit.
I also work in the Urology clinic. I was the first volunteer to be placed in this very busy department, and I have found it to be a lovely place to work. All the staff welcomed me and appreciate my assistance. My typical shift can involve anything and everything, from running notes to and from the relevant medical secretaries, search for patient notes across the hosptial for the day clinic. Housekeeping, general tidying, chatting, supporting and making tea for patients or generally helping in any way I can.
It’s a really fulfilling role, which I thoroughly enjoy. The hospital staff are all fantastic and treat me as part of their team.
Gill Southgate
Hello, I’m Gill Southgate. After a car accident at 18 left me totally blind, I retrained and joined The QEH as a medical secretary assistant in 1981.
I worked at the Trust for nearly 42 years, embracing new technology to continue my role as an audio typist.
As a guide dog owner, I’ve had six dogs over the years, all welcomed in the hospital environment.
Throughout my career, I delivered sensory awareness training to help staff understand visual impairments and their impact on patient experiences.
After retiring in 2023, I became a volunteer to continue this training. I’m also a patient panel member and involved in initiatives like the consent steering group with The QEH, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, and the James Paget University Hospital.
I enjoy participating in quality assurance visits and ensuring new projects are accessible to all, including those with disabilities.
I attend bi-monthly sensory awareness meeting to discuss issues affecting blind or partially-sighted patients and staff, such as receiving communications in their preferred format.
Adelaide, my current guide dog, still guides me to the hospital for my volunteering role. I’m proud to be part of the volunteer team and honoured to continue contributing after my retirement.
Adrian Thorarinsson
Hello! I’m Adrian, and I volunteer as a buggy driver. I was lucky enough to retire at 59, but I felt too young to just sit at home and watch TV.
Having used the NHS quite a bit myself, I decied to see what volunteer opportunities were available. That was back in 2009, and I’ve been here ever since. My first role was in the Arthur Levin Day Surgery, and later I joined the League of Friends shop. With my background in retail, it was a perfect fit.
When the buggy service was first trialled, I thought, “Why not give it a go?” As an ex-golfer, I’ve driven a few buggies in my time. I thoroughly enjoy my buggy shifts and, with the new buggies, it’s even more comfortable.
I love chatting with my passengers as I drive them around the site. Coming to the hospital can be worrying, and I try to reassure them. It’s not just about driving the buggy; it’s about talking to patients and visitors and putting them at ease.
Even though the route doesn’t change, no two shifts are the same. I enjoy meeting new people all the time.
One day, I picked up a lady who was very quiet. When I asked if she was okay, she explained that she had just lost her husband and was here to collect his belongings. I offered my condolences and dropped her off.
Then, out of the hospital came a husband, a wife, and a seven-hour old baby. They were my next passengers. That’s life and death, all in two minutes. It was an amazing moment I’ll never forget.
