As the new year gets underway, we are delighted to bring you the first in a series of Volunteer “Staying Connected” Stories.  As well as shining a light on some of the wonderful volunteering taking place across the county, the stories will highlight the individual benefits of volunteering in terms of staying connected, keeping well and making a difference!

We begin the series with January’s story which is from Carmel O’Dwyer, a volunteer at Tallaght University Hospital (Patient Care Package Programme).  Carmel tells us how her volunteering has provided a very meaningful opportunity to “give back”, and has contributed to a sense of feeling purposeful, valued and grateful:

“So why do I volunteer?.. because it gives me a great sense of being part of a community…

My name is Carmel, I am retired and am a widow. I always had it in my mind that when I retired I would like to volunteer, but in the last few years of my husband’s life I spent so much time with him in Tallaght Hospital that it re-inforced that feeling that I should do something.  When Covid came along, and volunteers were needed I signed up, and feel really lucky to have got the volunteer opportunity in Tallaght Hospital.

The department I volunteer in is called Patient Care Packages. Because there is no visiting allowed due to Covid, it gives relatives and friends of patients a chance to leave in items they know will be appreciated by them, such as clean pyjamas, newspapers, sweets etc, and also to collect washing and other items to take home.  The gratitude people express to us for providing this service is lovely to hear.

I love what I do, and am part of a great team, which is great for me also because for that 1 day a week I get a chance to realise just how lucky I am.  Although I know it will eventually come to an end, I will definitely continue to volunteer.”
Carmel.