Kind-hearted volunteers at University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust (UHMBT) are sharing why they enjoy volunteering for their local NHS this Volunteers’ Week (1 to 7 June).
Volunteers’ Week is an annual celebration of the thousands of people who give their time to support others across the UK. This year, UHMBT is using the occasion to highlight the vital role volunteers play in NHS care and to invite more local people to get involved.
Across NHS trusts in England, more than 73,000 volunteers already give more than 6.4 million hours of their time each year, helping patients navigate hospitals, providing companionship, supporting staff and making the experience of care even more compassionate. UHMBT is proud to have 296 volunteers supporting its teams and patients.
Matthew Wilson, a volunteer at Furness General Hospital (FGH) in Barrow, said volunteering as a Blood Biker again felt like “something I just needed to do,” after losing his father earlier this year.
Matthew said: “At the start of the year, my dad had a stroke and passed away a few weeks later. Spending time in the hospital, seeing the absolutely amazing work the nurses and staff do, I just thought, I need to give something back.”
Matthew, who lives near Grange-over-Sands and works for the Furness Building Society, first volunteered more than a decade ago, helping to establish Blood Bike support across Morecambe Bay.
“I was involved back in 2012 to 2014, helping get things going locally. Life got in the way, but I’ve come back to it now and it feels right,” he said.
Matthew is now dedicating his time in memory of his dad, James Wilson, a former police officer. “My dad was really community-minded, so doing this in his name means a lot. He’d be proud.
“The staff were absolutely fantastic with my dad. The care, the professionalism, especially in really challenging conditions, was just amazing. We’ve needed the hospital quite a bit as a family recently and you really see just how dedicated people are.”
As a Blood Biker, Matthew uses his motorbike to transport blood, samples, medication and vital equipment between hospitals across the Bay, often out of hours. “You can be taking anything from blood to theatre equipment,” he said. “It might not seem much, but it keeps things running and saves the NHS time and money.
“I’d absolutely recommend volunteering. Even if you can only give a small amount of time, it doesn’t have to be massive. Even small things can make a real difference.
“Volunteers aren't paid because they are worthless, what they give is priceless!
“You realise how many people you can touch along the way, just by being there and doing what you do. Sometimes people say thank you, sometimes you never know the outcome, but it all matters.
“Most importantly, volunteering is about giving something back to the people who were there for my family when we needed them most.”
Iona Askew, who volunteers in the cafe in the Outpatients Department at Westmorland General Hospital (WGH) in Kendal, said: “I only started volunteering at the cafe last August, but it already feels like such an important part of my life.
“It’s a lovely place to be. Everyone is so friendly and welcoming. You see people coming in who might be worried or upset and something as simple as a cup of tea, a coffee or a sandwich can make such a difference. People are so grateful. That really stays with you.
“I first thought about volunteering after my husband had to go to A&E. I remember thinking how hard it would have been without the cafe there. Being able to get a drink and a biscuit made a stressful experience so much better. I came away thinking, ‘I must give something back.’
“In my day job, I work at the local Spar shop near the hospital, so I’ve always enjoyed chatting to people and helping where I can. Volunteering just felt like a natural extension of that. I’d been thinking about it for a while, especially as a friend of mine was already volunteering in the cafe.
“Volunteering honestly makes you feel better in yourself. You’re meeting people, having conversations and doing something that really matters. It gets you out of the house and gives you a real sense of purpose.
“The staff at the hospital have been absolutely wonderful. They couldn’t be more friendly or supportive. You can see how hard they work and they really appreciate having the cafe there for a quick break or a coffee during a busy shift. It feels like we’re all part of the same team, doing our bit to help patients and families.
“When my family needed care, the staff were brilliant. In those moments, when you’re worried about someone you love, having kind, professional people around you makes all the difference. That’s another reason I wanted to volunteer – because I know first-hand how much those small acts of kindness mean.
“I really enjoy volunteering. Every time I go in, I come away thinking, ‘that was a good day.’ It doesn’t have to be anything big. Sometimes it’s just making a coffee, having a chat, or seeing someone smile, but those small moments add up to something really special.”
Anne Pinder, a volunteer on the ‘Meet and Greet’ reception desk in Medical Unit One at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary (RLI), said: “People arrive worried or upset and sometimes all they need is a calm face, someone to listen and clear directions. If I can make that first few minutes easier for them, then I’ve done something worthwhile.
“I started volunteering after I retired. I’d been a nurse for many years, working mainly in chemotherapy, but I had to take early retirement in 2022 because of my health. People think retirement sounds lovely, but suddenly you’ve got all this time and you miss the people. You miss chatting, helping, being part of something. I remember thinking, ‘What do I do now?’ and volunteering at the hospital just felt like the right place to start again.
“I’ve been here about three years now. No two days are the same. One minute you’re showing someone a map, the next you’re finding a wheelchair, or helping someone track down a relative who’s been moved wards. It’s busy, but it’s rewarding.
“A lot of the people we meet are anxious or unsure and you can see the relief when you’re able to help. Even something small like giving clear directions or walking someone part of the way can make a real difference.
“What I really enjoy is the people; both the public and the staff. You get to know the regular teams and everyone is supportive. The volunteer team is brilliant too. If you need anything, there’s always someone there to help. It really feels like you’re part of the hospital.
“I’d absolutely recommend volunteering to other people. It gives you purpose; it gets you out and you meet all sorts of people. I always say, if you’re thinking about it, just give it a go.
“The staff at the hospital work incredibly hard. You see it every time you’re there. They’re busy, they’re under pressure, but they’re dedicated. As a volunteer, you feel proud to support them in a small way.
“For me, volunteering has filled that gap that retirement left. It’s given me structure again, and a sense of being useful. I go home after my shift feeling like I’ve helped someone, even in a small way and that’s a really good feeling.”
Kim Nicholson, a tea bar volunteer at the Queen Victoria Centre in Morecambe, said: “I’ve been here about four and a half years now and I just love it.
“I do three days a week and it gives me something to look forward to. I just thought, ‘that’s something I’d like to do’, so I went round and got involved. I didn’t know anyone here before, but everyone has been really friendly and welcoming from the start.
“I like meeting people, talking to them and helping them. People come in who might be having a hard day and sometimes just a chat and a cup of tea makes a difference. I was a carer for my dad and I’m a carer now. Volunteering gets me out of the house, keeps me connected and gives me a purpose.
“The staff are lovely and they do an amazing job. When you see what they do for people and how hard they work, it makes you want to give something back in whatever way you can.
“I used to work making parts for aeroplanes, but this is completely different. Volunteering is about people and that means a lot more to me now. I’d definitely recommend it. I think once people start volunteering and stick with it for a bit, they’d really enjoy it.
“I just like to help people. Even if it’s just a cuppa and a chat, it can brighten someone’s day and that makes it all worth it.”
Barry Rigg, Head of Patient Experience and Volunteering at UHMBT, said: “Our volunteers are at the very heart of everything we do and their kindness and generosity make a big impact every single day.
“We are committed to providing the best possible care and so much of that simply wouldn’t be achievable without the extraordinary support of our volunteers. They enrich our services and bring comfort to patients, visitors and colleagues. I would like to say a huge thank you to all of our volunteers as we celebrate national Volunteers’ Week.”
For further information on volunteering at UHMBT, contact: volunteers@mbht.nhs.uk