Sharon celebrates 35 years of volunteering at hospital

This week, Lynn’s hospital is celebrating the dedication, compassion and energy shown by each and every one of its volunteers.As part of this year’s National Volunteers Week, the trust’s cluster of 168 volunteers is being celebrated for being a vital part of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital community, dedicating more than 23,000 hours a year and making a lasting impact on the lives of patients and staff every day.From the hospital’s buggy drivers and welcoming front desk meet and greet team to ward helpers and hardworking pharmacy runners, they all play an important role in enhancing the patient experience and work across 30 departments in the hospital.

Among this committed group is Sharon Roberts, who is celebrating 35 years of volunteering at the hospital this year.Sharon joined the QEH as a volunteer in 1990 as she wanted to give something back to the trust that had treated her first husband through his battle with leukaemia.Her intention was to only volunteer for a few months – but 35 years later, she is still a weekly presence as part of the front desk meet and greet team and has no intentions of stopping any time soon.

Sharon said: “I love my day each week volunteering at the hospital on the front desk. The people are so lovely, and you really feel like you are making a difference. “Our role is to be a friendly face and help with anyone and anything that comes through the door. This can range from simple questions, such as directions, right through to quite complicated tasks that can take a whole shift to complete.“The people we meet vary so much, and some are such characters that you never forget them. “We see all sides of the hospital from people’s grief and frustration right through to the happiness of taking a newborn baby home for the first time. I get so much satisfaction from each and every person we help. I love people, and I love helping.”As part of the National Volunteers Week celebrations, the QEH will host a special thank you celebration to recognise this group that gives up their time for the trust.Joanne Rowe, voluntary services manager at the QEH, said: “Celebrating Volunteers Week is really important as a way for us to show our gratitude to our hardworking volunteers for all they do.“Our thank you events are always a special occasion for all of our volunteers and a chance to say a huge thank you to them all. We are so grateful to each and every one of them.”