For 23 years Beryl Comer was a familiar face to users of the Alliance and Leicester’s Ashford branch.  But when the branch closed in 2004 Beryl knew that she would miss meeting people if she just decided to stay at home. Her husband, Barry, was already a volunteer gardener with Age Concern in Spelthorne and when Beryl heard that Ashford Hospital was looking for volunteers she decided to offer her services.

Said Beryl: “I really enjoy volunteering.  I don’t like being at home all the time and I do like getting out and meeting people and having a structure to my week.  I would encourage anyone who has time on their hands to seriously consider a volunteering role.”

Twice a week she can be found in Ashford Hospital, either taking the trolley round the wards or manning the till, as seen in this photo, in the Atrium Café where she also does the short orders, prepares all the drinks and clear tables.

Said the Trust’s Voluntary Services Manager Karen Marsden: “We have more than 500 volunteers working in our hospitals, and we cannot thank them enough for all that they do.  Our volunteers have a huge variety of skills and talents that are put to good use every single day of the year – and some evenings too!  Some work behind the scenes in offices and others enjoy the patient contact with ward work or reception duties – the scope for them is enormous.  There are very few aspects of hospital life that do not benefit from the support of a volunteer.  The WRVS, the Red Cross, Hospital Radio Wey and the two Leagues of Friends at Ashford and St. Peter’s are the backbone of our volunteering service and at this special time of year we like to thank them all publicly for their unstinting support.”

To find out more about volunteering at the Ashford and St. Peter’s Hospitals NHS Trust readers can call Karen Marsden on either: 01784 884227 or: 01932 723239