90-year-old Coralie May has returned to her long-standing volunteering role at Doncaster Royal Infirmary following a 2-year break caused by illness. Coralie, who has provided 34 years of service with the Royal Voluntary Service, is back working as a shop assistant every Friday morning from 9am to 12pm to support staff, patients, and visitors.
Her return to the hospital was made possible through twice-daily domiciliary care from HICA at Home Doncaster, part of the not-for-profit HICA Group. The home care service provided the practical and emotional support necessary for Coralie to rebuild her confidence and regain the independence required to resume her community work.
Throughout her 3 decades of service, Coralie has received 20 and 30-year long service awards, including a medal from the Mayor of Sheffield. She also attended a national commemoration at the Royal Albert Hall in the presence of Queen Camilla.
Coralie May said: “God has been good to me, so after a 2-year break in my service due to illness, I have gone back to work every Friday morning. I want to give something back after all these years. Volunteering has always meant a lot to me, and I missed seeing people and being part of things. Getting back has made a real difference to how I feel day to day. I love doing it, and I really enjoy being there again.”
Gail Taylor said: “It’s been important to support Coralie in a way that fits around her routine and what she wants to do. Our visits help with everyday tasks, but also give reassurance so she feels confident in doing what she wants to do. Seeing her return to volunteering and enjoy it has been really rewarding.”
Nikki Lea said: “Domiciliary care plays an important role in helping older people remain active and connected to their communities. Coralie’s return to volunteering shows how the right support at home can enable people to continue doing what matters to them.”
