A long-serving volunteer at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham has stepped down after more than three decades supporting patients and staff in the radiotherapy department.
Jean Mannan, who began volunteering in 1995, said she first joined after undergoing surgery in her late 40s to treat lymphoedema, a condition that causes swelling.
“I was 49 at the time and was keen to have something to do – sitting around just doesn’t suit me. I started volunteering on the tea bar in the radiotherapy department in 1995, alongside a lady called Lizzy.
“We served cups of tea for 12p and biscuits for 30p and would make cakes and sandwiches to sell – cheese and onion cobs, scones, banana bread, carrot cake, with all the proceeds going to the hospital charity. We’d refuse to go home for the day until we’d raised £100.”
She went on to become a familiar face on the department’s tea bar, where she and fellow volunteers raised money for University Hospitals Birmingham Charity.
Over the years, the team raised hundreds of thousands of pounds, helping fund improvements including the CyberKnife radiotherapy machine, refurbishments to the waiting area, specialist equipment, and gifts for children finishing treatment.
The tea bar, affectionately nicknamed “Jean’s naughty corner” by colleagues, became known for more than just refreshments.
“I’m a happy bunny and love having a chat. The best part about volunteering has been the conversations. I don’t just stand behind the counter – I’ll have a walk around and say hello. I’ve talked to thousands of patients and got to know some of them really well. I’ve had cancer myself and lost my daughter to breast cancer, so I understand it’s hard and I have a lot of empathy – especially when I see children coming to the department for treatment.
“I’ve always had the mindset of ‘I’m not going to worry about something I’ve got no control over’ and hope that some of my positivity has rubbed off on those around me over the years. I think it has.”
Ms Mannan, who turns 82 in September, had been volunteering every Wednesday, from 6.30am – 5pm, until last month when she decided it was the right time to leave.
She is now preparing to move to Lanark in Scotland to be closer to her granddaughter. In the meantime, she is enjoying day trips to Worcester and Stratford with her sister, and spending time with the many friends she has made over the years volunteering at QEHB.
She adds: “For years my friends and family have been saying to me ‘come on Jean, isn’t it time to have a rest?’ But volunteering at the hospital has genuinely made me so happy. It’s kept my legs and brain in use. If you don’t use it, you lose it and I’m not going to sit at home staring out the window just because I’m getting older.”
Rosemary Simmons, Radiotherapy Lead Manager at QEHB, said: “Jean will never know the huge impact she has had on the thousands of patients and staff who have come into contact with her over the years.
“She will be so dearly missed. It’s not just about a cup of tea. It’s the smiles, conversations, warmth – all things that can really turn someone’s day around.”