98-year-old volunteer meets new recruit on our summer youth volunteering programme

11 September 2026

Doreen, 98, is one of our longest-serving volunteers, supporting the running of the Friends of Hammersmith Hospital shop. She started volunteering several decades ago, raising funds for the hospital when her son was small. After retiring over 20 years ago, she returned to help in the shop. In August, we introduced her to Diya, a 17-year-old volunteer, who joined the hospital as part of our summer youth volunteering programme. Diya is keen to pursue a career as a cancer researcher.

Doreen, what do you enjoy most about volunteering in the shop?

Doreen: Meeting people. I love talking to people. It suits me because I’m a chatterbox. Lots of people come in, and they’ve had good news or bad news, and some people are lonely, they just like to chat. You get a life story sometimes, and it makes you appreciate how lucky you are.

Diya, what’s your experience of volunteering been?

Diya: When I came here, I expected that because you meet the same people every week… it would get quite repetitive. But I realised that’s not true. Every week, I come here and even if it’s the same patients, they always tell you something new… sometimes it’s a bit bittersweet because you walk in wanting to say hi to the patient, and they’re not there anymore. You’re happy that they’re home, but it’s also bittersweet.

When you volunteer, what do you both get out of it?

Doreen: People say, “Are you still volunteering?” and I say, “You don’t know the pleasure I get out of it”. I love people. I love talking to people. And by chatting, and advising sometimes, it just makes you feel good.

Diya: I’ve learned a bit about myself, and about others. It’s not just that you talk to people and you meet them, it’s also being behind the scenes. You set up the [meal] trays, or if [the patients] need a tea, you make them tea. It’s more about what they need than what you get out of it.

Diya, what motivated you to start volunteering?

Diya: I feel like my motivation was to get out there and branch out of my comfort zone a bit, rather than being an introvert. I love being at home. I feel like going out there changes you a bit, and you gain new experiences.

Doreen, what bit of advice would you give to Diya about volunteering?

Doreen: You probably, like me, like talking to people… so you’ll get a lot of pleasure from it. I hope in your future, you do well in whatever you want to do. I wish you well, and I’m glad you enjoy it. I do it because I love it and it’s great when you hear good things – you hear lots of sad things, but then that’s part of life.

And Diya, what do you want to share with Doreen about your hopes for the future and what you enjoy most about volunteering?

Diya: One thing I’m really gaining from this is optimism and ambition. I think during exam season people get quite demotivated, even if it’s what they want to do. It reaches a repetitive state, where all you’re doing is exams, going home, and sleeping. So, getting a bit of a change makes you more ambitious about what you want to do.

Feeling inspired? Search our volunteering roles and see how you could support your local hospital.

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