Hospital volunteer is honoured

Oct 20 2011 by Alistair Watson, West Lothian Courier

volunteer

A HOSPITAL volunteer has been recognised for all his tireless work.

After suffering a horrific accident at work Ian Forrester took early retirement but instead of pottering around the garden or spending his days relaxing the 56-year-old has spent the past six years working as a volunteer at St John’s Hospital.

And his achievements were recognised at this year’s NHS Lothian annual Celebrating Success Awards, where he was named Volunteer of the Year.

But Ian is modest about his work and he told the Courier: “About eight or nine years ago I had an accident at work where my arm was ripped off my body, more or less. I had to get physio for a year to get it back working again and there had been a fear I would lose my arm.

“After that I went back to work for a while and when I got offered early retirement I decided to take it.

“It was then that I got involved in volunteering. I started at the volunteer centre in Bathgate and they put me in touch with the hospital.

“When I was at Scottish and Newcastle I probably worked 50 to 60 hours a week. It is a very strange experience to go from that to nothing.

“I was only 49 when I retired and it was a shock to the system not having anything to do.

“I have been lucky enough to work in the hospital as it ensures I want to get up every day as I like doing it.

“When I first got the chance to work in the hospital I felt that after all the work they did to help me get back on my feet it was a way of giving something back.”

Ian has filled a variety of roles at the hospital, including working with the district nurses and psychology department and also works with various groups through the hospital such as Put your West Foot Forward.

But for the past two years the West Calder man has worked as a clinic assistant in out-patients four, where he puts in a full day’s shift four or five times a week.

Ian’s role at reception involves him directing/helping patients to appointments areas and the pharmacy for prescriptions and transporting patient notes.

In his limited spare time Ian is the treasurer of the Friends of St John’s where he raises money for the hospital and is a member of the patients forum.