What our volunteers say

Driven to... Complete satisfaction!

Ron Oliver is a Driver Volunteer for KEMP Hospice and has been since 2000.

In his capacity as a Driver Volunteer, Ron helps out once a week, often as the first point of contact for patients coming to KEMP Hospice. If they need transport into Day Hospice, then Ron is on hand to collect them from home and then to drive them safely back again once their day at KEMP is over.

This is a regular weekly commitment for Ron, and one which he relishes as part of his week now he is retired. By receiving notification of his volunteer activity for the coming week from KEMP in advance, Ron can plan, so his role as Driver Volunteer fits perfectly into his other activities throughout the week.

"Volunteering for KEMP makes me truly feel part of the community, it's 'good for the soul' if you like, to be able to put something back," Ron smiles. "Meeting patients, people who are struggling against the odds in some cases, is very inspirational. In addition, I can do something productive and useful which stimulates my brain now I am retired," he adds.

In Ron's opinion, ideal qualities for volunteering with KEMP are patience, tactfulness, an understanding of other people and an ability to really listen. Ron gets huge satisfaction from his role and would highly recommend it to anyone. "If I stopped volunteering at KEMP Hospice, I would really miss it," Ron says.