Volunteering after 40 years in the NHS: Sheena’s story

After 40 years working in the NHS, retirement can leave a significant gap. Sheena could have quite happily put her feet up, but she was not ready to stop completely.

Having seen first hand how services run and how much difference good care can make to people and their families, she still wanted to feel useful and give something back.

Volunteering with Healthwatch North Yorkshire has given her a way to stay connected to NHS healthcare and social care, while helping champion patient voices locally.

Alongside other volunteers, Sheena supports our work in a range of ways. From visits to care homes to monthly contact points in libraries and hospitals, she helps make sure local people know they can share their experiences and access reliable information and advice.

“I wasn’t ready to stop completely,” Sheena says. “I still wanted to help people in some way.”

Listening where it matters most

Each month, Sheena volunteers at Harrogate Hospital and at libraries in Harrogate and Knaresborough. There, she meets people from all walks of life.

Some want to talk about challenges they have faced with appointments or services. Others are looking for clear information about their healthcare options so they can make informed decisions for themselves or someone they care for. And some simply want to share a positive experience and say thank you to the people who have looked after them.

“It is about listening,” she explains. “People appreciate being heard.”

These conversations are more than casual chats. They matter. They help Healthwatch understand what is working well and where improvements are needed.

They also give people space to recognise good care, while making sure concerns are not overlooked. By gathering feedback directly from people using services, we strengthen the evidence we share with decision makers across North Yorkshire.

Visiting care homes

Sheena also takes part in Enter and View visits to care homes.

These visits are not formal inspections, but they give trained Healthwatch volunteers like Sheena the opportunity to observe services in action, speak with residents and staff, and gather first hand feedback about daily life in the home.

After each visit, volunteers produce a report highlighting good practice and suggesting practical improvements. In the past, feedback from visits has helped services review mealtime experiences, increase the range of social and physical activities available to residents, and improve communication with families.

This work promotes openness and helps ensure services remain focused on the needs and experiences of the people who live there.

Reaching communities across North Yorkshire

Beyond formal visits and contact points, Sheena regularly attends community groups and events. Recently, she delivered a workshop at a local hospital, helping raise awareness of how Healthwatch supports people to share feedback and find trusted advice.

Community events offer a valuable opportunity to hear a wide range of perspectives about care delivery. They also help ensure people understand that their voice matters and can influence change.

Why volunteering makes a difference

For Sheena, volunteering has brought purpose and connection in a new chapter of life.

She says:

“Volunteering supports my mental wellbeing. I enjoy the community events, the variety, and the different views I encounter. 

It is always interesting to hear people’s perspectives on care delivery. 

I enjoy promoting the work that Healthwatch does.”

Her experience shows how giving a bit of time and a listening ear can make a real difference here in North Yorkshire.

Volunteers like Sheena help make sure health and care services reflect what local people actually need. They also help people feel informed, heard and valued.

If you would like to find out more about volunteering with Healthwatch North Yorkshire, we would love to hear from you.

The wider impact

Every chat at a contact point, every survey filled in, and every care home visit helps build a bigger picture of how health and care services are really working across North Yorkshire.

When volunteers listen to you or someone you care about, that feedback doesn’t just sit on a shelf. It helps shape our reports, guides conversations with local health and care services, and makes sure people’s real experiences are taken seriously.

Volunteers like Sheena are at the heart of this. By listening and sharing what they hear, they help make sure services reflect what local people actually need.

They also help people feel better informed, properly heard and valued.