Reflecting on the past, John recalls what inspired him to start volunteering. “I used to work as a beach patrol covering a 20-mile stretch from Southport to Formby and Crosby, but I had to retire because of breathing issues and the physical demands of the job. I’ve always been a grafter, so I was looking for something to fill my time. My doctor suggested volunteering as a therapeutic release, so I gave it a try—and the rest is history.”
Committing 30 years to helping others is no small feat. It’s a testament to John’s love for his role. He shares, “I absolutely love being a volunteer car driver. I’ll probably be doing it for the rest of my life. It’s not just about driving patients to appointments; for many, it’s about offering companionship. Some patients don’t have anyone else to talk to, so when they get in the car, I might be the only person they’ve spoken to all week. It’s nice to be able to be there for them and help put them at ease. With regular patients, you build lasting relationships. Some of them are local to my area so I often see them out and about. I still see a patient I was taking for cancer treatment 20 years ago. Seeing them doing well after all these years is wonderful.”
John not only does this role to help patients, but to also give back to the NHS. He added, “This is my way of putting back into the system. Over the years, I have had quite a few hospital appointments and stays due to my own health, so to be able to give back is very rewarding for me.”
When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted routine hospital appointments in 2020, John actively looked for other ways he could help. He became just one of the five volunteers who collected COVID-19 tests and took them to universities to be tested despite the risk to his own health.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer then take it from John, you won’t regret it! He said, “Without a doubt, I would recommend volunteering. Whether you become a volunteer car driver like me or in one of the other roles the ambulance service offers, you’ll get so much out of it. It gets you out of the house, introduces you to new people, and helps you form connections you wouldn’t otherwise make. I promise—you won’t regret it.”