Ian says:
My friend hosted a weekly radio show, and I would go from ward to ward visiting patients and taking song requests for the station’s evening programme. Music can help us through difficult times. I love music and I had the opportunity to witness how important it is to people.
Patients would often request songs that were important to them, such as the song they had their first dance to on their wedding day.
I like to keep busy and active so, after retiring from my job as a postman, I decided to become a ward volunteer on top of supporting Radio Marsden. I’ve now been a volunteer on Kennaway Ward in Sutton for the past seven years.
My role involves supporting ward staff by taking food and drink to patients, helping to stock up the storeroom and medical trolleys, and running errands for the staff.
I really enjoy meeting patients, chatting to them and spending time getting to know them. I’ve also spent some time as a volunteer on Smithers Ward and as a meet-and-greet volunteer, welcoming patients and their families as they enter the hospital and showing them where to go if they are unsure.
It’s a real honour to be part of The Royal Marsden team. All the staff are amazing and, as a volunteer, I’m able to witness how hard they work, so I love that I’m able to help in a small way. I love seeing new volunteers around the hospital, so come and join us!
