26 June 2026
Jason Allison
A former soldier who received support from services at Cannock Chase Hospital is now giving back by helping patients there as a volunteer.
Jason Allison, joined The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust as an Enhancing Ward Experience (EWE) Volunteer at Cannock Chase Hospital in October 2024.
The father-of-two supports patients, visitors and staff on the ward by answering phones and doors, taking messages, fetching items for staff and spending time with patients to help reduce loneliness and boredom during their stay in hospital.
Jason served in the British Army for more than 20 years, beginning his career in 1986 with The Royal Corps of Signals, where he was responsible for installing, operating and maintaining global IT, cyber and telecommunications systems.
During his military career he served in Germany during the Cold War, completed an active peacekeeping tour ‘EUFOR’ in Bosnia and spent time in Afghanistan. He later moved into a welfare role, supporting the well-being of fellow service personnel.
For the last six years, before the medical discharge, Jason had transferred from the Royal Signals to the Military Provost Guard Service. This role primarily involved site security for the Royal Air Force.
Following a diagnosis of epilepsy, Jason, 55, was no longer able to continue his service and was medically discharged from the Army in 2019.
As his health challenges continued (both physically and mentally), Jason received support from teams at Cannock Chase Hospital, including neuro rehabilitation services and occupational therapy, helping him maintain his mobility and independence.
Jason said: “The staff at Cannock are amazing and they genuinely can’t do enough for you.”
Jason, who lives in Rugeley, continues to live with the effects of his condition, including memory difficulties, but credits his family and healthcare teams for helping him through some of the most difficult periods of his life.
He said: “I was no good to man or beast, not being able to focus. I went from being a supportive individual and organiser to all of a sudden my wife having to deal with it all.
“Slowly I’m progressing. If it wasn’t for my family’s support, I wouldn’t have been able to get through it.”
After being approached by staff about volunteering, Jason was keen to get involved.
He said: “I wanted to give back what I had experienced during my time with them.
“Being able to relate to most of the patients I come into contact with and offer support when individuals are down gives me a massive sense of still being worthwhile.”
Jason says volunteering has also had a positive impact on his own wellbeing.
He added: “Volunteering did me the world of good mentally. When I was discharged, I was in a dark place, but volunteering forced me to get out of the house.
“It has also inspired me him to take up new hobbies, including woodworking, and I am currently attending evening classes to develop my skills further.
“Every shift as a volunteer is different and each patient is unique in their own way.
“The feeling of giving support and knowing that what you do, no matter how small, is appreciated. I honestly love volunteering.
“The patients you meet all have a different story to tell. Making friendships with the staff, it all makes me wish I had done this years ago.
“I would recommend volunteering without hesitation – not only does it help the patients, it really helps the staff.”
Kerry Fletcher, Volunteer Coordinator at The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust and Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust, said: “”Jason is one of the best volunteers I have ever had the privilege of meeting.
“He’s so dedicated to the Rehab unit where he volunteers that he once told me that he doesn’t end his shift until the last patient has left, often being there for eight hours a day.
“Since June 2024 Jason has completed 566 hours in Cannock Rehab Unit even though he himself is sometimes unwell.
“He is such an amazing volunteer who is fully committed to giving back.”