John Lewis – Volunteer Driver for Care Services

As soon as Fran died, I knew I wanted to volunteer for Longfield. When my counselling was over, I volunteered as a driver. I drive people to the hospice for therapy and to spend the day, have lunch, that kind of thing.

I was retired anyway so I had time on my hands.  The way I look at it, Longfield was good to me and good to Fran.  They were so good to me after Fran had gone, I thought it was important to give something back.

I like talking to people and I’m friendly and sociable. I want people to know they’re not on their own. I explain about Fran and how I used to take her to day therapy. They’re going through the same experience and they realise I know what it’s about. You can talk on a level, I think it helps the people I drive to feel comfortable.

It’s a really important service. I picked a gentleman up from Gloucester and took him into the hospice before the pandemic. He said: ‘if I didn’t do this, I wouldn’t get out of the house.’  It gives them a break and it gives others a break too.