Monique has been a volunteer with the Guild for almost a decade, while Russell is coming up on his first anniversary as a volunteer. Both are members of the team who deliver our Trolley service and here are their stories.
Monique combines administrative work in a specialist Epilepsy unit with regular volunteering for the Guild, taking the Trolley around the wards as she has for the past nine years.
“In 2003 my husband was diagnosed with cancer and during his treatment he was twice an in-patient at Barts. He was treated by wonderful staff who were very kind to him, and kind to me too. When he recovered, I wanted to give something back to the Hospital. I decided to volunteer and chose the Trolley as my husband had loved being able to buy his daily newspaper.
“The Trolley is quite hard work and I didn’t expect to enjoy it as much as I do. I enjoy working with my Guild colleagues – especially those that accompany me on my rounds making it even more fun – and meeting patients and staff. My ‘Trolley Day’ has become the highlight of my week.
“My favourite thing is when I see a patient’s face light up when the Trolley arrives and they often have their money ready to buy their regular treat. It is heart-warming to see how kind and supportive the patients are to each other, often treating a fellow patient or a favourite nurse to a chocolate bar or cold drink.
“Volunteering for the Guild has given me money-can’t-buy opportunities such as taking part in the Lord Mayor’s Show. It was always a fabulous day and hearing shouts of “We love you Barts!” and “You saved my dad’s life” made me feel very proud to be part of such a great team. Also, helping out on View Day every May and seeing the alumni year after year who still have such passion for Barts.
“I enjoy being part of the Hospital – I am proud to be a member of Barts Guild and a valued volunteer.”
Russell retired after 40 years at the Foreign Office in May 2024. During his career, he worked overseas in a number of countries where part of his duties involved visiting British Citizens who were in hospital or prison. Many did not have family or friends who could visit, so seeing a friendly face ‘from home’ helped to keep their spirits up.
Prior to retirement, Russell helped with the delivery of some of the major international events hosted by the UK, including NATO and G7 Summits, and the ‘COP26’ climate change conference in Glasgow. He also had the privilege of working on, and attending, the funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III.
In 2020, Russell was diagnosed with cancer and was treated at Barts for just under six months. Treatment had to be resumed in February 2025. On one of his visits to Barts he noticed a poster in the Guild Shop calling for Trolley volunteers. Having retired, he thought he could draw on his work experience in such a role and it would also be a way of giving something back to the Hospital, which had treated him so well. He therefore decided to apply.
At his interview, Russell was asked how he might feel when visiting wards where he had been a patient a few years previously. His response was that he would feel just fine about it, and indeed would help as he knew exactly what patients were going through. Russell said that it would also help to demonstrate that, although chemotherapy affects people in different ways, you can continue to contribute and help others.
Russell says: “I really enjoy visiting the wards and meeting the patients from all walks of life. It’s good to see that whoever you are, everyone is treated the same way with kindness and skill. It is a pleasure to also help the staff, who are once again administering my treatment.”
Would Russell recommend becoming a Trolley volunteer? “I would indeed. It is a very satisfying job.”
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