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Volunteer Anita Arrowsmith shares how much she enjoys her role supporting staff and patients

I’ve been volunteering for just under two-and-a-half years now and I can honestly say it’s the best thing I’ve ever done.

I thoroughly enjoy working here and the staff and colleagues I work with couldn’t be better, I wouldn’t be anywhere else.

I started volunteering because I had recently retired and wasn’t enjoying it. A neighbour mentioned there were openings at the hospital to volunteer and I haven’t looked back.

I have absolutely found that it has improved my health and wellbeing as it has given me a purpose and a focus. I’m not as lonely as I’m always meeting people and I love chatting to people. It’s also a really lovely environment to be in.

I have met new friends through volunteering and luckily I was able to volunteer most of the way through the Covid-19 lockdowns. In the two weeks where all volunteers were stood down, I missed it a lot as I missed the social contact.

I would really recommend to others and my friends and relatives that they consider volunteering because it gives you a real sense of purpose and being part of the Northumbria family of volunteers means a terrific amount to me as you have the support of a great team behind you – the manager and other people are lovely.

My life wouldn’t be the same if I didn’t have this and I would volunteer every day if I could, there’s never a day when I don’t want to come in.