Philip

Volunteer

My name is Philip and I volunteer making welfare telephone calls to patient who have been recently discharged from NNUH. I have been doing this since May/June 22.

The NNUH has been very good to me throughout various clinics – Diabetes, Foot, Plastics, Surgical, Eyes and A&E. I wanted to give something back and to help others as much as I can. The role I do is ideal for me as a registered blind person.

What difference do you feel your volunteering makes?

A huge difference to the 11,000 patients we have contacted – helped reassure, provide food, practical help etc. Nursing staff get feedback to encourage them and very often to say ‘well done and thank you.

Are there any skills or experiences which helped with your volunteering?

My experiences as a teacher and then as chief examiner for the London College of Music and with the University of West London – talking to and with people all over the UL and 54 countries worldwide has given me confidence and a sense of humour too!

Have you learnt anything about yourself through volunteering?

Humility – it is very humbling to talk with people who are/have suffered. It is also joyful and wonderful and pleasing to know a difference is being made. I love my volunteering. In fact, on a couple of days when the sessions had to be cancelled, I was really disappointed. Thoroughly recommend it to others.