Meet and Greet volunteer
Main entrance, Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy
Place of volunteering:
Main entrance Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy
When did you start volunteering?
I started in May 2019.
Why did you get involved with volunteering?
I had retired in 2018 but still wanted to "work" ,and having used the NHS myself several times, and seen, and paid for, medical care in South and North America, I felt it was important to give something back and support the wonderful service provided here, which is sometimes taken for granted.
What do you get out of/enjoy about volunteering?
I get to meet lots of people, many of whom are stressed or worried, and hopefully help them when they need it and make their visit to the hospital a little better. It's helped me be more aware and understanding of the difficult situations that many people find themselves in.
I also show the new international recruits around the hospital each month and am always amazed that they (for whom English is a second language) move half way round the world to come and work here. They are so upbeat and polite and are obviously very much needed.
Do you have any reflections you would share about your volunteering experience, and would you recommend volunteering to other?
I wish I hadn't waited until after retirement to start doing this and would urge anyone who can do it to start as soon as they can.