Phyllis, Pod and Carole’s stories

Volunteer Carol and Pod Phyllis is normally looked after by her partner Pod, so when he was taken into hospital she knew they would need help – this is when Carole, who volunteers with WRVS Bassetlaw Home from Hospital scheme, stepped in to help.

"I decided to volunteer after seeing an advert on the notice board at Sainsbury’s. My mum died five years ago and I enjoyed talking to the older people who lived in the home where she was. I enjoy their company; they're interesting to talk to because they’ve lived a life.

"You're meeting really lovely people all the time and its nice when you see them making progress. There’s job satisfaction in knowing that you have helped out. I would recommend it to other people."
Carole

"I have arthritis, a cracked coccyx and a replacement hip. Pod is my carer and when he came home from hospital I was worried about how we would cope. A nurse suggested we try WRVS - they were marvellous. They arranged for someone to come in and see us every week and they got us equipment like picker-uppers, to pick things up, and grab rails for the toilet.

"It’s nice to talk to someone different from outside. Pod and I struggle to get in and out of cars so it’s difficult for us to go out."
Phyllis

“A lot of men who are using our service would prefer to have another man to chat to, so we are always looking for more male volunteers.”
Videlle Hamlet, Local Service Manager, WRVS

Back to list