Throughout National Volunteers Week 2025 (2-8 June), we have been sharing our appreciation for our dedicated volunteers across UHL Group who selflessly give their time and energy to support our patients and staff.
From helping visitors when they arrive at our hospitals to lifting patient’s spirits through friendly chats, their contributions are invaluable and make a huge difference to the experience we provide to our communities.
As we mark the week of celebrations for volunteers across our hospitals, we would like to shine the spotlight on one volunteer who has reached an amazing milestone, 30 years volunteering for the NHS!
We caught up with Audrey, a 95-year-old, a grandmother and great-grandmother who still dedicates her time weekly to support colleagues in our hospitals.
Audrey has worked in the NHS for over 77 years and was one of the first on the NHS payroll in 1947.
Her journey began in Liverpool Laboratories where she worked her way up to a senior lead working across all hospital laboratories. Audrey then joined what was our old Royal Liverpool University Hospital, when it was first opened in 1978.
Shortly after retirement, Audrey decided she wanted to do something completely different but still wanted to do her bit to support the NHS (although with less responsibility).
Her volunteering journey began working for the Women’s Royal Voluntary Service (WRVS) with a tea trolley, a role she held for 7 years. As part of this, Audrey visited wards with refreshments and essential items for patients. She would also provide companionship to patients, relatives and visitors, in hospital.
Audrey then moved to the volunteer service at the Royal working in the café, providing emotional support to patients following appointments and organising food bags for patients going home alone or requiring extra support.
Audrey experienced some personal struggles with her hearing and sight impairments, meaning this role was no longer suitable for her. Determined not to give up volunteering, Audrey now spends most of her volunteering hours supporting colleagues with administrative tasks such as putting together support packs for cancer patients and information packs for patients being discharged home, both important tasks that help relieve the pressure on our staff delivering clinical care.
Speaking about her volunteering journey, Audrey said: “I always look forward to Thursday and getting to see people. I like having my set routine and couldn’t imagine not doing my bit to help.”
Audrey is very fondly thought of amongst colleagues who describe her as being “very organised, hardworking and a massive help supporting with tasks to enhance the patient journey.” Audrey is quick to learn new things and has a great memory meaning she is able to complete her tasks in no time.
When Audrey is not volunteering, she likes to spend time with her family. She lives locally and is very independent and likes to keep herself busy when she can. Although her eyesight and hearing can be quite restricting for her, Audrey does what she can to support our hospitals and engage in community activities at her local cathedral.
When asked for words of encouragement for anyone wanting to become a volunteer in our hospitals, Audrey said: “Being smiley and outgoing and happy to talk to people is the most important thing, being understanding of people and providing a listening ear can be more powerful than you imagine.”
If you’re interested in volunteering with us, or know someone who is, find out more here.