Jenny Ireland, a volunteer car driver of Non-Emergency Patient Transport Service (NEPTS) based at Derbyshire, shared how volunteering inspired her.
She said, “I retired from teaching 15 years ago and knew that I wanted to volunteer within the NHS, which has supported me and my family since its inception. I began by being a volunteer driver for the Nightingale Macmillan Unit at the Royal Derby Hospital, taking palliative care patients to and from the Day Unit there. Then I joined their team within the ward. After 13 years of volunteering with end-of-life patients, I felt I needed a change.”
“The opportunity to become a volunteer car driver for the Non-Emergency Patient Transport Service with EMAS was exactly what I was looking for. It offers me the chance to meet new people, help them on their health journey whilst freeing up ambulance time and space for patients who really need an ambulance, especially during the winter months when demand is the highest. It amazes me how grateful patients are and all I’m doing is what I love – driving, getting to know new people and places, giving back to the community!”
Want to be part of the team? We’re now recruiting volunteer car drivers for Derbyshire, Northamptonshire and Lincolnshire to support Non-Emergency Patient Transport Service. More details can be found on EMAS website.