Mark oozes character and a bubbly personality, and he gives people hope
11th November 2020
Submitted by Sarah Brown, Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Mark Panting applied to become a hospital volunteer in the autumn of 2018. His diagnosis of MS and other underlying health conditions had left Mark feeling very low and lacking purpose in his life. Mark was nervous at the interview but we could immediately see what an asset he would be to the Voluntary Service at our hospital. Mark oozes character and a bubbly personality. There was only going to be one role for Mark - a hospital wayfinder. His empathetic nature, warm and welcoming manner and ability to put people at ease means that he is an ideal candidate to greet anxious patients and visitors as they enter the hospital.
Mark's role entails him navigating our complex corridors on his mobility scooter finding lost people. We have had such positive feedback about Mark and how people have been relieved to have been helped by Mark to find their destination or simply find their way out!
Mark has been a real hit with his colleagues; everyone loves him. In between helping patients and visitors around the hospital Mark will support his colleagues at our welcome desks at the various entrances across the hospital during busier periods. He also offers to do the tea run, which is always popular.
Mark tells us that his life has changed for the better since he started volunteering. You can see the joy in his face every time he comes into the hospital. He is always so positive and brings an energy with him that you can't help but get caught in. Mark tells us he has found a new purpose in life, he feels he has structure, he makes a difference; he feels useful again. Always the first to offer to cover additional shifts, the first to sign up for the Christmas lunch or annual long service awards, the first to enquire about a colleague’s wellbeing - he really is a special volunteer.
Mark gives people hope. Seeing the physical challenges Mark deals with sends an underlying message to people that they too can make a positive difference in their local community. Mark attends local MS groups and speaks about the change in his life since volunteering, he is an inspiration.
Due to Mark's underlying health conditions he wasn’t able to volunteer at the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic and understandably this had a negative impact on him. We have been keeping in touch with our volunteers and at times his wife would tell us "he doesn't feel like talking today" or "he's still in bed". That wasn’t the Mark we know and love. We are now absolutely thrilled to welcome Mark back to volunteering with all the measures in place to keep him safe. Every hospital voluntary service needs a Mark - we're delighted to have ours.
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