Volunteering Anne and Colin Fleetwood
Some of the patients’ faces really light up when they see the trolley coming!’ explains Anne Fleetwood . . .
Once every eight weeks, Anne and Colin Fleetwood take the Red Cross trolley around the Stanhope and Holmsdale wards at Sevenoaks Hospital. They sell biscuits, drinks, confectionary, toiletries and stationery to the 20-30 mainly elderly in-patients. Anne does the selling while Colin describes himself as ‘trolley pusher and accountant!’
‘For the patients, the arrival of the trolley is a
break in the boredom of the hospital day and the chance to have a chat with someone from the outside world,’ says Anne. ‘Some of them have no near relatives and so this is their only chance to get some tissues, for example, or a new flannel. Some may have lost a toothbrush in the move from one ward to another! The trolley provides a real service and it’s one that I would value if I were in hospital.’
As a former speech and language therapist, Anne is used to working in hospitals and also
to communicating effectively with people who are hard of hearing. She trained in a neurological hospital and although most of her working life was spent in a residential school for speech and language handicapped children, she also worked in hospitals in Hastings and Farnborough. She admits that she likes the hospital environment although Colin is not quite so keen. ‘I get lumbered with pushing the trolley and adding up the cash at the end of the day,’ he says extremely cheerfully!
The Fleetwoods began volunteering at Sevenoaks Hospital about five years ago when a
friend asked Anne if she could help. ‘It only takes about an hour in all,’ explains Anne, ‘and it really is a job worth doing. The staff always welcome us and we feel that we are fulfilling a need by bringing some cheer and a breath of fresh air into the routine of the wards. It’s lovely for the patients to have the opportunity to shop. I think that buying something off the trolley gives people a feeling of normality. Some like to have a chat and it’s great to see them looking excited if they are due to go home soon. They might even buy a box of chocolates to give to the nurses as a ‘thank you’ present!’
If you feel inspired to help with this worthwhile service, please telephone Anne Fleetwood on 523582 for more information.
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