Volunteer Voices – Navigator, Garry

Volunteer Navigator, Garry Kitt

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. Here we meet Navigator, Garry Kitt.

Garry Kitt loves his role as a hospital volunteer so much that if there were eight days in a week he would simply work another day!

Six years ago Garry’s wife, Christine, died and Garry wanted to give something back for the treatment she had received.

“I had seen a leaflet calling for volunteers, so I applied and took up this role as a navigator,” Garry explained.

“The position has given my life a new purpose and has led to me meeting a great bunch of people from the team I work with to the staff and patients I meet every day.

“I feel I am paying back for my wife’s care and helping others and myself at the same time,” Garry, a former company director at Daintee Sweet Factory, Blackpool, added.

“It is immensely rewarding, helping others and working with a team of like-minded people.

“Navigators are at the front door of the hospital and we are often the first face people see when they arrive.

“People coming here are often poorly or visiting someone who is poorly so they are under a degree of pressure. Our role is to reassure them as much as possible and ensure they know where they are going and how to get there.

“This is a role that ticks all the boxes and one I would recommend to anyone,” he added.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer at Blackpool Victoria or Clifton Hospital, you are welcome to attend these recruitment events:

Monday, June 3 – Blackpool Victoria Hospital’s mezzanine, 11am until 2pm

Thursday, June 4 – Clifton Hospital, Pershore Road, Lytham St Annes, 12 until 3pm

For any further details, please ring 01253 957399 or email bfwh.volunteers@nhs.net

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