5 June 2025
Two volunteers who supported patients and staff at Cannock Chase and New Cross Hospitals both found jobs – thanks to their hard work and dedication.
Abigail Burrows and Adam Jackson
Abigail Burrows and Adam Jackson were both volunteers at The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust before being inspired to apply for full-time paid positions.
Abigail, from Cannock, volunteered for more than a year, on Fairoak Ward at Cannock Chase Hospital.
Her roles and tasks included supporting patients and assisting ward staff, providing hot and cold drinks, taking food orders as well as restocking cupboards, unpacking deliveries, and ensuring storerooms were filled.
The 19-year-old is now a Senior Therapy Assistant and said she applied for the role as she loves working within the healthcare sector supporting both patients and the therapy team.
Abigail said: “When I was volunteering, I developed lots of new skills that I had never practically experienced before.
“This helped me gain more confidence, increase my knowledge of terms and equipment, and also improve my understanding of the rehabilitation process.
“My advice for future volunteers would be, Be brave to take all the chances you get, it’s a good way to learn new skills and experiences. Volunteering can really help shape your future employment as it has done for me. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone in Volunteering Services for their help and support during my time with them.”
Adam, from Wolverhampton, was a volunteer for 10 months on the staff wellbeing hub and discharge lounge at New Cross Hospital.
The 25-year-old said: “During my time as a volunteer, I was able to gain experience by serving patients and members of staff with food and refreshment supplies during their day shifts, as well as being able to support and interact with the patients as they waited to be discharged from the hospital.”
He is now a Theatre Support Assistant (TSA) at Beynon Theatres.
He said: “I enjoy working with a close-knit team of all different roles and responsibilities to help make a patient’s operative journey as safe and effective as possible.
“I particularly enjoy being able to reassure patients making sure they feel comfortable and free of any stress when they come to us and, doing so, I am able to see the difference I make in their journey, and that is very fulfilling.
“I love learning something new every day and being able to provide the best support I can for the patients and the amazing teams I have had the privilege of working with.
“Volunteering with RWT gave me a real confidence boost when it comes to meeting and working with new people, as well as experience for a hands-on style working environment.
“It also made my level of situational awareness grow, which is an essential skill for the job I currently do.”
Andew Rice, Head of Patient Voice, said: “Voluntary Services play a vital role in creating meaningful pathways for young people, recognizing their ambitions and helping them build skills, confidence, and experience.
“It’s always fantastic to see volunteers take the next step into employment within the Trust.
“When we invest in our younger volunteers, we’re not only supporting their personal growth, but also nurturing our workforce of the future.”