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I want to help people by giving my time: Norman Matthew

Noman Matthew with one of the community nurses at getting ready for the day to see patients at home
Noman Matthew with one of the community nurses at getting ready for the day to see patients at home

Norman Matthew is a volunteer driver for Solent, helping to transport community nurses to their patients’ home, ensuring they arrive safely and in a timely manner to those who are housebound and unable to get out. It’s a valuable service, allowing our nurses to get to more patients and freeing up a lot of travel time, providing more nursing care in the comfort of the patients’ own home, enabling them to maintain their independence, or having additional support. Our community nurses may also manage clinics in the community for specific services, where patients have a wide variety of nursing needs.

Norman previously volunteered as a Marshal for the Covid-19 Programme, and when this was phased out, he still wanted to volunteer in a different role and continue to support NHS Solent Trust. This was when he saw the opportunity to volunteer as a driver. This is a typical day in his life as a driver.

Norman loves giving back and spending time helping others. Norman says: “I leave for home and meet the community nurse at their designated base for a morning start (usually 8:30). I usually text the nurse to let them know I have arrived. The nurse provides me with all the addresses/postcodes. I support with either the morning or afternoon shift - usually about seven house visits a day. Depending on the number of calls, I occasionally take two nurses. I’m able to take the other nurse to their house visit, which avoids waiting around for too long. At the end of the shift, I take the nurse(s) back to their base.”

Norman adds: “I’ve gotten to know the nurses well and we always have a good chat. They are a great team to work with.

“I really enjoy helping and being part of a vital and essential team who do such a fantastic job. I enjoy feeling useful supporting the local community. I hope to continue volunteering for as long as I can.

"I just want to support the NHS and be part of something that helps people by giving my time."

Thank you to Norman and to all our volunteers for your time and support #VolunteersWeek2023. It makes all the difference and helps us deliver the best care. If you would like to volunteer, fill out this form and we will be on touch or email volunteers@solent.nhs.uk.

 

 

 

 


Helpful information

Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)

Please visit our services page for specific services and contact details. Alternatively, contact our Patient Advice and Liaison Service by emailing or calling the number below. You can also give us feedback, make a complaint or share a compliment.

pals@solent.nhs.uk

0800 013 2319

*Lines are open Monday to Friday 10am – 4pm.

The Freedom of Information (FOI) Act was passed on 30 November 2000. It gives a general right of access to all types of recorded information held by public authorities, with full access granted in January 2005.

The Act sets out exemptions to that right and places certain obligations on public authorities.

Email: InformationGovernanceTeam@solent.nhs.uk

Phone: 0300 123 3919

*Subject to any exemptions which apply, we are obliged to provide the information requested please note that requests for Personal Information is not covered under this Act and should be applied for through the Data Protection Act 1998.

Our administrative and managerial centre is based in Southampton.

While our services can be found around various NHS locations in Southampton and Portsmouth (and surrounding districts), our administrative and managerial centre is based in Southampton at:

Highpoint Venue
Bursledon Road
Southampton
SO19 8BR

If you require a printable version of how to find us including bus times, car access and bike info please download our leaflet. (Copyright of Highpoint Venue).

Central office phone: 0300 123 3390

*Lines open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.

If you are a journalist with a media enquiry, please contact the Communications Team at:

communications@solent.nhs.uk

0300 123 4156 or 02381 031076

The Communications Office is open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.