My name is Neel, and I began volunteering for the Trust 15 years ago. In my role as a volunteer, I was able to support staff and care for patients on the ward when staff were busy, helping with extra support for the patients at mealtimes and putting anxious patients at ease. I really enjoyed this and wanted to learn more, so I started to shadow the housekeeper while helping on the wards. After becoming a housekeeper in our Accident and Emergency Village, I became an Auxiliary Nurse, whilst also volunteering when my duty days would allow or at the weekend.

I then began my training to become a Nursing Associate and now, have just the final year of my degree to complete. I am also a Steps Wellness Champion, supporting the mental health and well-being of staff members at WWL, and a LGBTQ+ Ambassador, promoting equality and diversity within the Trust.

I also help support our International Nurses and new Student Nurses, helping them feel like part of the WWL family and putting them at ease to learn new skills.

I am proud to represent the trust by both working and volunteering at WWL. When I started as a Volunteer 15 years ago, I did not think I would be where I am today. I would say that if you have a dream to catch and work towards, volunteering is a great way to start.

Jack volunteers on our help desk and the wards, always thinking of our patients and going above and beyond. Jack can always find a spare minute or two to share a chat and a brew with everyone. He says, “I have been a volunteer for seven years and it has allowed me to help other people and make new friends - I really enjoy it”.

Julie volunteers on our help desk and supports our patients and their families by providing valuable information and escorting them around our sites. She says, “Although I only work two mornings a week, I love my job. There can be challenges but I always manage to rise to the occasion, and I love dealing with members of the public. To know that I have helped them in some small way is a nice feeling.”

Christine supports across different sites and is not scared to try something new. This is her story.

Christine says, “Volunteering is a brilliant way of helping people and helping yourself to keep young and fit. I have been working as a volunteer for seven years in three different roles, in the café, on the ward and on the help desk. The jobs of course are completely different and keep me on my toes!”

Keith is a volunteer at Wrightington, and he enjoys making our patients smile and laugh. Considering most come for surgery, this certainly helps our patients as they are more relaxed and seem to feel better after a smile from Keith. Volunteer Keith entertains patients and staff playing the piano at Wrightington Hospital and raising money for Three Wishes charity.

This makes a big impression on patients, staff and visitors entering the hospital and provides a very memorable experience! Inspiring others to follow what they dream, Keith volunteers on our Help Desk, collects our Family and Friends test feedback cards and plays the piano when he can. He says, “I’m always busy, which is how I like it! Music certainly makes the world more vibrant.”

Marlene Craimer has volunteered for 15 years at WWL. Marlene has a heart of gold and is always willing to go the extra mile to support our patients, families, staff and visitors. No job is ever too big for Marlene and she will always complete every shift with a smile.

Marleen says, “I have been a volunteer for 15yrs and decided to become a volunteer after I was an in-patient at Wigan Infirmary. I thought it would be a good way to give something back for the treatment, care and support which I received which, was second to none. 

“Volunteering is a very rewarding job and being able to help our patients is the best part of it. I have made a lot of friends from my volunteering and I would not have made these if I did not take the chance many years ago to volunteer at WWL.”

Barbara Lamber has worked and volunteered for WWL for over 64 years.  Her contribution to our healthcare system and external volunteering services within Greater Manchester is sensational and simply astonishing. Barbara always finds the time to listen, support and reassure our patients, visitors, volunteers and staff at WWL and has a heart of gold.

Barbara says, “I have been a volunteer within the Trust for over 20 years and I really enjoy it.  Each volunteer brings their own strengths to the different roles within the Trust - all of us are different and enjoy different aspects of our work but at the end of the day our common goal is to help people.”

Stuart Lowe volunteers on our Help Desks and can always share a story or helping hand to our patients, staff and volunteers.

Stuart says, “I am an Army Veteran and Payroll Consultant. When I took early retirement, I decided that I needed something to do with my spare time. When I had a bit of a health scare in 2022, I spent a lot of time in and around hospitals and it was there that I noticed the friendly volunteers at the reception desk at Leigh Infirmary. I asked one of them if they were looking for any additional volunteers and I have now done two months of volunteering. I am loving the role and have met some very friendly and helpful people and hope to inspire others to volunteer and join the WWL family.”

Veronika has volunteered at WWL for 16 years and plays a vital role within our Trust as a Volunteer. She always demonstrates an outstanding commitment and enthusiasm with her time and efforts enriching all at WWL.

Veronika says, “It’s simple really, I enjoy making a difference. No task is too small or insignificant and I have learned so much during my years of volunteering and developed new skills along the way. My volunteering started at the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary site on the help desk, and I was also involved with the Patient Experience team, talking to patients on the wards and praying with them if they asked.

“For many years I was Santa’s helper on Christmas Day at RAEI, visiting every ward with gifts and spreading Christmas cheer. Seeing new-born babies and meeting parents brought a tear to my eyes and I have been fortunate as a volunteer, meeting numerous people who are the best at what they do.

I became a Hospital Radio presenter, and you can usually find me all around the Trust with my recorder and I do try to visit all sites so no one gets left out. I have been known to visit the Armed Forces Hub talking to Veterans and I was made a WAY (forward) Ambassador for WWL, as well as being a Governor, which was a great learning curve. Special memories come to mind as I reflect, and I feel so grateful to be part of our WWL family.”

Pauline Carr (above right) has volunteered for 30 years and knows WWL inside and out and more. Pauline has supported our Three Wishes charity, our PLACE panel, and many other volunteer roles. Pauline has always got an ear to lend and smile which our staff and visitors adore.

Pauline says, “Being a volunteer at WWL gives me far more than l put into it. I love to help people and l hope it makes the patients journey a better experience. I will continue to volunteer and have many more years to help our patients and their families to enrich their patient experience.”

Tricia Curless has volunteered for five years, playing a fundamental role at our Leigh site. Tricia always demonstrates loyalty and passion when on duty and can never say no to helping her colleagues. She has a personality which places our patients and staff at ease and is always there to help. Here is her story…

“I became a volunteer at Leigh Infirmary on the Help Desk at Leigh in 2018. Prior to this I worked at Thomas Linacre Cafe, however finished in 2016 as I needed an operation. When I was fit and well, I joined WWL at Leigh as a volunteer and I have never looked back.

I volunteer as I am a people person, I find it fulfilling and humbling to be able to assist to patients needs and share experiences when I volunteer. I have covered most shifts, working with almost all the Leigh team, and enjoy it immensely.

Pamela Manning has been a Volunteer for 28 years. Her outstanding contribution to WWL is tribute to her personality and her desire to comfort, support and help everyone who walks through WWL doors - no one is ever excluded.

Pamela says, “I was looking for some voluntary work following recovery from an accident and volunteer recruitment had started at Royal Albert Edward Infirmary their help desk in the main entrance.

“It proved very rewarding from the beginning as I have always enjoyed meeting people and helping if I can. It was rewarding in another way as well because I have made some very good friends and colleagues over the years. 

“I started on 6th June 1995 and am still going strong, hopefully for many more years to come, back then it was the Hospital League of Friends, we even won an Emerald Award and later, when the volunteers transferred to the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary, we won a Queen's Award for Volunteering in 2017.”