Barrie is named Volunteer of the Year at Bassetlaw Hospital

Pictured is Barrie Smith with Hollie Dawson, from award sponsors Holt Doctors.

Barrie Smith, who has been volunteering for nine years, has made a huge impact on patients and staff at Bassetlaw Hospital and was nominated by his work colleagues for his service to the Trust.

His many duties include welcoming and making patients comfortable, providing refreshments, collecting treatments from the pharmacy, and ordering, and serving, lunches.

A well-known and much-loved figure at the Trust, Barrie said: “I retired in 2007 and didn’t want to come to a full stop.

“I felt I needed something to give structure to my week but without the responsibility of a paid job.

“I choose Bassetlaw Hospital for two reasons, firstly, as a child I was one of the NHS’ first patients.

“An accident in the summer of 1948 resulted in me being admitted for four and a half years and I thought it would be nice to give something back.

“The second, and I suppose a little less poignant, is that the hospital is only a 15 minute walk from home.”

Mike Pinkerton, Chief Executive at the Trust, said: “Thank you to all of our 250 volunteers who give their time, enthusiasm and dedication in carrying out a variety of roles at their local hospital.

“I want to say a very special thank you to Barrie for his support over the years.”