NHS 70: Unsung Heroes - Roger

Roger has a special reason for volunteering at University Hospital.  He wanted to give back to the hospital that cared for his beloved mum, Phyllis.

Roger looked after his mum for seven years until she sadly passed away in 2015.  Phyllis had been a patient at University Hospital several times after she broke her hip in 2008.  Roger was so impressed by the care she received, that when he retired from 41 years in manufacturing, he wanted to give something back.

He said:

“My parents brought me up to care for other people, and the NHS and University Hospital were always there for Mum.  The staff went above and beyond for her, and for me as her son.”

Roger is one of 26 Support for the Dying Companions, and he spends time with patients in University Hospital during the last weeks and days of their lives.  He sits with, talks or reads to people, and can offer support to their families too. 

Since the Support for the Dying Companion scheme was started in 2016, Roger has provided support and comfort to around 50 people in their last days.

As well as being a Support for the Dying Companion, he also meets and greets patients and helps out the hospital’s Pharmacy, Phlebotomy and Critical Care teams.

He added:

“The NHS has some great people in it, and I’ve seen personally through my mum’s experience how the staff put patients first.  I think the NHS is always improving and if we have another 70 years of improvements like this, the NHS will be even more amazing in 2088!

“I’m proud to be an NHS volunteer – if you volunteer you’re here for just one reason, and that’s to help people at their time of need.”

Thank you Roger, and all of our incredible volunteers!

If you’d like to know more about becoming a volunteer at University Hospital in Coventry, please contact Kristine Davies, Head of Voluntary Services, on 024 7696 5146 or email volunteers@uhcw.nhs.uk.