Jean’s Story

Jean spent all her working life, 42 years, nursing in the area. At one point she was a Ward Sister at High Carley for those of you who can remember it! After that Jean worked as a relief District Nurse working in Coniston, her home village, Broughton and then eventually getting a permanent job in Dalton & Askam. Jean loved her career and caring for her patients.

Jean was from a big family, being the youngest of 7. Sadly her mum died when she was very young so she was mainly cared for by her eldest sister, a sister who she was very close to. When Jean retired she found herself looking after her sister as she had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s. When her sister died Jean was left with time on her hands and after a while felt ready to give again. She saw an advert in the Evening Mail for a receptionist volunteer role at the hospice. She rang up, came up the next day and after discussing the types of help the hospice needed she settled on helping at Day Services starting the next week, and Jean is still here 17 years later and never yet been a receptionist. As she says “that was me- smitten!”

Jean enjoys helping the patients and talking to them. Her own health and mobility isn’t the best now but her skill is sitting and chatting to people and making them feel at ease. She says “I always treat people as I would like to be treated” and she gives them time and patience and they have someone to talk to who isn’t medical just a person like them.

St Mary’s is special to Jean and she loves coming to a place where there is so much understanding and care. Jean loves her volunteering and would recommend it to anyone with the advice of
“Never forget your roots – use the little things you’ve learnt in life to help others”