As part of Volunteers’ Week, we’re celebrating the incredible people who give their time to support patients, visitors and staff across our Trust.
For one of our long-serving volunteers, Cath Tyrrell, giving back has become an important and rewarding part of life after retirement.
Although she has been volunteering in the Discharge Lounge for around two and a half years, her volunteering journey began more than 11 years ago. As retirement approached, she knew she wanted to stay active and connected with people.
“It was coming up to retirement and I thought I didn’t want to just stop and do nothing,” she said. “I wanted something meaningful to do - and I absolutely love it.”
Alongside her ward-based volunteering, she also supports the Rosemere Coffee Shop, within the Cancer Centre at Royal Preston Hospital, helping create a warm and welcoming space for patients and visitors.
She says volunteering gives her a real sense of purpose: “It gives me something to do and a reason to get out. You meet people, you keep busy and you feel like you’re doing something worthwhile. It’s much better than sitting at home.”
Her role on the ward varies from shift to shift, but often includes serving tea and coffee, helping with lunches, running errands to pharmacy and spending time talking with patients.
“Sometimes it’s just about being there for someone and having a chat if they want to talk,” she said.
While practical support is important, she says it’s the people who make volunteering so special - from the patients she meets to the teams she works alongside: “When volunteering was first suggested to me, I wasn’t sure it would be for me,” she said. “But after my very first shift, I loved it straight away.
“It’s the people, the team you work with, the patients and visitors - it’s everything. There’s a real camaraderie.”
During Volunteers’ Week, we want to say a heartfelt thank you to all our volunteers. Your time, kindness and commitment make a real difference every single day, helping make our hospitals welcoming, compassionate places for everyone who walks through our doors.
