We’re extremely proud of our team of fantastic volunteers at NHS Humber Health Partnership, who give up their time to help our patients.
And, while we’re grateful to every single one of them, today we want to say a special thank you to Jackie Sharp.
Former teacher, Jackie, spends three days a week volunteering at Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital, Grimsby – two manning the reception desk in the main entrance and one helping out in the Discharge Lounge.
And, after seeing that the Discharge Lounge team were often spending time hunting around for wheelchairs to take patients out to cars when they were ready to leave, she decided to step in – purchasing a wheelchair to be used for patients on the ward.
She said: “After my mum passed away, she left me some money and I wanted to do something good with it, so that’s why I did it.”
Talking about her role as Volunteer, she said: “I’d worked in a school for 30 years and when I retired, I looked after my mum for two years.
“I’m not one that just sits around and does nothing, so I thought ‘I’ll volunteer’. When I am up here on the Discharge Lounge I will take around cups of tea, get the patients’ food, take them downstairs and go down to Pharmacy to help make sure the medication is ready for when patients are able to go home.
“When I am on the main reception it’s more about showing people where they need to be, helping them to find wheelchairs and just being there for people to chat to. It just makes their day a bit better.
“I also knit blankets for memory boxes for Maternity and I like to bake once a month, so I can bring in cakes.”
Discharge Lounge Transport Co-ordinator, Angelina Patridge, said: “We want to thank Jackie for her continued support of the Discharge Lounge and our patients.
“She’s always looking out for both our patients and our staff. Her kindness, generosity, and commitment make a real difference to everyone. We are incredibly grateful for everything Jackie does.”