Chaplaincy Volunteer, Sue Rose
As part of Volunteers Week 2019 (June 1-7), we are looking at some of the volunteer roles around Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Sue Rose is a whirlwind.
The retired former personnel manager for Tesco, never seems to keep still, always on the move taking on the next challenge from bodyboarding to helping out at her local church.
But one of the roles she cherishes is as a volunteer for the chaplaincy at Blackpool Victoria Hospital.
“I don’t have to do this job, I come because I want to do it, I choose to do this great role,” she said.
Sue took early retirement, but felt she was not ready to give up work altogether.
“I wanted to give something back to the community so I joined the chaplaincy team as a volunteer,” she explained.
That was two years ago and Sue has loved every minute.
“My role is about listening to people and responding to their needs while in the hospital.
“The task is massively rewarding, when you are able to help someone and you see the look in their eyes when they say thank you, you know you have helped. It’s worth all the money in the world to feel you have given something to help someone.”
Sue added: “Personally this is the best thing I have ever done. I would truly recommend hospital volunteering to anyone as there are so many different roles to do, you can choose a role to fulfil your needs.”
Sue works primarily on Ward 25 and says she has built a great relationship with the staff who treat her as a member of their team.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer at Blackpool Victoria or Clifton Hospital, you are welcome to attend this recruitment event:
Thursday, June 6 – Clifton Hospital, Pershore Road, Lytham St Annes, 12 until 3pm
For any further details, please ring 01253 957399 or email bfwh.volunteers@nhs.net
There is also an information stall on the mezzanine of Blackpool Victoria Hospital until Friday, June 7.