Our impact Your stories Meet best friends and volunteers, Hilary and Dina Volunteering is more than just giving your time, it’s about making meaningful connections, building confidence, and being part of something bigger. For Hilary and Dina, it led to an unexpected friendship that’s lasted for years. They met while volunteering with Bristol & Weston Hospitals Charity and quickly became inseparable, supporting each other while making a real difference in their local hospitals. Their story is a powerful example of how volunteering can bring people together and lead to friendships that last a lifetime. Meet Hilary: “It feels great knowing we’re doing our bit” Hilary has been volunteering with BWHC for almost 20 years, after receiving a letter inviting her to get involved. “I decided to give it a try,” she says. “From the very first day, I loved the people and found myself looking forward to going back.” Across almost two decades, Hilary has taken on a variety of roles – carrying buckets at events, helping in the charity shop, and supporting the office with admin work. Now, she volunteers monthly at pop-up stalls across the hospitals, sharing leaflets with patients and visitors. “Those leaflets matter,” she explains. “They show people what the charity is doing and how they can get involved.” For Hilary, the best part of volunteering has always been the connections she’s made. “The people are what make it,” she says. She even met one of her closest friends, Dina, through volunteering: “We’ve had so much fun over the years, and it feels great knowing we’re doing our bit.” She’s also a passionate ambassador for the charity, encouraging others to join. “I wouldn’t hesitate!” she says. “I’m always getting friends, family – even my neighbours – involved. It’s such a lovely community to be part of.” Meet Dina: “A friendly face really matters” Dina began volunteering after deciding she finally had time to give something back and wanted to try something new. What appealed to her was supporting the kinds of improvements the NHS can’t always fund – “things that make hospitals feel friendlier and more comfortable.” Soon after joining, she was paired with Hilary, and the two quickly became close. “We’ve volunteered together ever since,” Dina says. “We just clicked.” What keeps Dina coming back is the people. “A friendly face really matters,” she says. “Patients and visitors often have a lot on their minds, so we’re never pushy – just there to chat and help if they want to know more.” She finds it especially satisfying to raise awareness of the charity’s work and guide people to the charity’s shop in the Bristol Royal Infirmary. “I always recommend volunteering,” she says. “The trick is to know what suits you and how much time you can honestly give. That’s how I’ve managed to keep going for so long.” Inspired by Hilary and Dina’s story? Join our volunteer community. There are lots of ways to get involved and help make a difference, whether it's a regular volunteer role or one-off support at our events. Find out more about volunteering and maybe you will also make a new friend along the way. FIND OUT ABOUT VOLUNTEERING Manage Cookie Preferences