What are you worth?

Hospital Notes 36

As a Volunteer at UHNM I receive a parking permit for the staff car parks at both Royal Stoke and County Hospitals and last month I had to go into the ‘Volunteer Coordinators Office’ to collect my new pass.

While there I was struck by a poster on the wall which read…

“Volunteers are not paid –
Not because they are worthless,
But because they are priceless”

Over recent weeks I have sat with many patients who were experiencing various levels of distress and confusion, held their hands and prayed with them. This is a close and intimate connection and makes me very aware how precious each person is.

Years ago, when rewriting the values for Shallowford House, ‘The Diocesan Retreat and Conference Centre’, where I was Warden for 15 years, one was…

“to recognise the uniqueness, dignity and worth of each individual”

I believe that this is still one of its objectives today and I have a copy of it on my notice board to this day!

“Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs on your head are all numbered; you are worth more than many sparrows.

                                                                                                                         Luke 12: 6&7

Dave Rowlands