Hospital volunteers make a difference

 Retirees Christine Redford (78) and Stuart Johnson (66), volunteer at the Northern General Hospital’s Palliative Care Unit, after they both lost their spouses years ago.

The Sheffield Hospitals Charity-funded volunteering scheme allows people like Christine and Stuart, two of the current 575 volunteers, to contribute spare hours to make a difference to patients across the city’s hospital sites. 

Christine, from Chapeltown, has volunteered two days a week at the hospital and has not missed for 11 years, more recently in the unit as a mealtime support volunteer.

Christine, said: “I volunteer because I feel as though I need to have something positive in my life since I lost my husband. This fills a space in my life and makes me feel like I’ve got something to give.  

“Volunteering can be hard but it’s rewarding. It can give you a purpose in life.  For me, it’s just being able to spend the last moments with some of the patients.

“If they remember anything at all, I’m someone with a kind face and a smile and someone who says take care. I feel it a privilege that I can do that.”

Stuart Johnson, from High Green has volunteered on the unit for the past 14 months, two days a week as a companion – keeping patients company and brightening their day.

“I’ve got some lovely people I work with, they’re treasures, they make you feel like part of the family. Volunteering is so rewarding. Anyone that thinks they want to do it – give it a go.”

 To donate to the Volunteer Service, visit www.sheffieldhospitalscharity.org.uk/donate or call 0114 226 7351.