Hospital volunteer shares birthday with NHS

As the NHS marked 75 years of providing exceptional care to its patients, a volunteer at James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough was celebrating 75 years of a life of giving.

Susan Gardiner, who volunteers within the chaplaincy team, looks after the spiritual needs of Catholic patients while also helping people from different faiths across various wards.

She joined the volunteering team in 2017 and has rejoined the team this year after a pause during the pandemic.

Susan has a special and heartfelt reason to volunteer at the hospital.

She said: “Volunteering at James Cook is my way of giving back to the community, as the staff here have nursed and looked after several members of my family with utmost care and love.

“It’s satisfying to make a difference in the community.”