It’s Volunteer’s Week from the 1st-7th June!
To celebrate, we spoke to Carol who has been volunteering as a Patient Driver for Lewis-Manning for over 4 years.
We asked Carol…
What is your role and what does it entail?
Lewis-Manning Hospice Care provides free transport for patients who are unable to get to the Hospice using their own transport or who prefer to be driven by a Volunteer Driver. As a Volunteer driver, I use my own car to collect patients from their homes and drive them to the Hospice to begin their day with the other patients and staff at the Hospice. In the afternoon, when their day is over, I collect them and return them safely to their homes.
What do you enjoy the most about volunteering for Lewis-Manning?
Most of all I enjoy meeting patients. It’s a privilege to be able to chat to them and get to know them as a person rather than a ‘Patient’. I’m of the opinion that their illness, whatever it may be, should not define them. Some patients have incredible stories to tell about the lives they have led, and even those that don’t feel they’ve got anything interesting to say or had a life out of the ordinary, I usually manage to assure them that everyone has story to tell. Often, they open up and tell of the most extraordinary things they’ve experienced. It’s really like making friends, and I do feel I’m a friend to a lot of the patients I’ve had the pleasure of driving. Usually, I drive the same people during their time at the Hospice, and I believe this is reassuring for them to be driven by someone they are familiar with.
Plus, during my time at the Hospice I’ve also made friends with other volunteers & staff which has been an added bonus. I can honestly say Volunteering is one of the best things I have ever done.
What would you say to someone who is thinking of volunteering?
I would say ‘Don’t think about it – just do it!’
It’s extremely rewarding to know you are doing something worthwhile and contributing to the success of Lewis-Manning Hospice Care, in whatever role you choose. I can assure you whatever you put in; you will definitely get far more out.
How do you feel your volunteering has contributed to the charity, patients and local community?
I feel in my role I am a representative of Lewis-manning Hospital Care & I contribute by my reliability to provide the service expected of one of the Charity’s Volunteer Drivers.
I know that a friendly attitude to whatever I do is appreciated both by the Hospice and patients.
The Hospice and all of its patients are part of the local community and I know my small part within it helps many local people and Lewis-Manning Hospice Care to be the best there is.
If you would like to learn more about Volunteering for Lewis-Manning, please click here!