After a lifetime in nursing, 88-year-old Shelagh is still giving back to the NHS she loves

Shelagh worked in various London hospitals, both for the NHS and as an agency nurse, clocking up many hours of experience in A&E and Intensive Care. She also worked as a nurse in Saudi Arabia where she had a ‘great salary and a great time’.

Apart from a brief flirtation with a job as a medical rep (she was in her own words ‘useless’ and was sacked), Shelagh’s life has revolved around nursing. She worked for the Royal College of Nursing, heading up their International Department, and served on the board of the International Council of Nursing, based in Geneva.

But the octogenarian is clearly not yet ready to turn her back on hospital life. She currently works as a volunteer in Chelsea and Westminster Hospital. It is an old haunt for Shelagh as she used to work there as a Night Nursing Officer in the 1970s when it was St Stephen’s Hospital.

Shelagh says it was the impact of Covid 19 that made her want to come to the aid of the struggling NHS.

“There were all these reports of NHS staff being overwhelmed – not enough people to do the vaccinations, not enough people to care for patients. I thought to myself ‘I can do that! I’m sitting here doing nothing and I could be helping!”

But Shelagh’s age made her too vulnerable to volunteer during the pandemic. The idea, however, never left her.

“I waited till the pandemic was over and then I set about finding a way to volunteer in the NHS - I was determined to do it. I love people, I enjoy talking to them and learning what makes them tick. I knew I’d get as much out of it as the NHS would.”

In 2023 Shelagh began work as a volunteer responder at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital. She has done four hours a week since then, in a role she says gives her many of the things she loved about nursing but without the daunting responsibilities.

“My role has varied a lot over the years. I started off being a ‘responder’. Basically I got to know the hospital inside out and I hung around in the corridors looking for people who seem lost or distressed in some way. I confess my first day was a little alarming – I went up to one chap who seemed totally lost and asked if he needed help finding his way. He replied that he’d worked their for twenty years and knew his way perfectly thank you very much!

“Part of the work as a responder was taking medications from the pharmacy to the relevant wards and visiting other departments to see if there was any other to be helpful, for example taking samples to pathology.

“I then transferred to A&E where I offer patients a drink or something to eat if they’re allowed, or talk to patients who are vulnerable or on their own. Pee, poo and sick don’t bother me; I’m not squeamish. I also help stocking up the linen, replenishing stock in the cubicles, and cleaning trolleys – if fact any odd jobs to help the overworked staff.

“I hope I make a difference to patients, but the biggest difference is what volunteering gives me - I get so much out of it and I’d highly recommend it to anyone, whatever their age. I often get buddied up with the younger volunteers because I have experience, and I love that. All the staff are lovely and very supportive. You are never too old, and you are never too young. Just do it!”

Inspired by tens and thousands of volunteers like Shelagh, who wish to volunteer for the NHS to give back, Helpforce has launched a three-year campaign 'Giving Back, Transforming Care' to inspire national conversations, foster deeper public engagement and shift perceptions of healthcare volunteering from a 'nice to have' to a strategic imperative. Learn more about this ambitious campaign here.