Volunteers’ Week: Meet Rob Kingston – volunteering at SWB for 11 years
June 2, 2021
Volunteers’ Week is an annual celebration of the fantastic contribution millions of volunteers make across the UK.
Right here at the Trust, we have a number of volunteers who support us to deliver first class healthcare to our patients.
Rob Kingston returns to volunteering after 13 months.
If you have been to Sandwell Hospital over the last year, you may have noticed that a familiar face has been missing. Robert Kingston, known to most Sandwell folk as Rob, has been absent from the Trust due to COVID-19 restrictions.
However, we are proud to announce, that one of our most beloved volunteers officially returned at the end of April!
Rob, who lives just a few miles from Sandwell in Hill Top, is well known by the majority of Sandwell based clinical colleagues as he has been volunteering on a variety of wards for over 11 years. Though volunteers haven’t started retuning to our wards due to COVID restrictions just yet, after receiving his second dose of his the COVID-19 vaccine, Rob is back doing what he enjoys most which is volunteering.
Rob has sincerely missed everyone at SWB and said: “I have missed it so much. I get real satisfaction from supporting the patients and staff so after over a year of not doing it, I’m so glad to be back.”
77 year old Rob works across a variety of wards at Sandwell including Lyndon 2 and 3, Newton 3, Priority 5 as well as SAU and AMU A.
When asked why he volunteers Rob said: “It feels good for my soul working in a hospital as it’s nice to help people in their time of need and give back. I love it so much as we are like one big family, from the consultants to the nurses, to the HCAs, to the porters.”
He added: “It’s a privilege and honour to volunteer. “Many patients don’t want to be here so while they’re here, I feel it’s my duty to make their stay and comfortable and pleasant as possible”
As a thank you to all our volunteers, we will be hosting a variety of volunteer appreciation events throughout the week:
- Thursday 3 June, 10am – 12pm and 1pm – 3pm, Sandwell
- Thursday 3 June, 10am – 12pm and 1pm – 3pm, City
For more information regarding our appreciation events please email lizagill@nhs.net.
Volunteer of the Year: Do you know an individual who has made a significant impact to our Trust whilst volunteering or a person who has shown selflessness and determination to support the people around them? Nominate them for the Volunteer of the Year Award in this year’s upcoming Star Awards by clicking here.
Do you want to become a volunteer? You can contact our volunteer service on 0121 507 4855 or email swbh.volunteer@nhs.net.