Happy Retirement Trudie!

After a decade of outstanding service, Sheffield Children’s will be saying a fond farewell to Volunteer Services Manager Trudie Smallwood this month, as she heads towards retirement.

Having begun her journey as a Volunteer Coordinator over ten years ago, Trudie has overseen the development of the volunteer service which currently delivers around 14,500 hours-worth of support for children, young people, families, and colleagues across Sheffield Children’s every year. Whilst her responsibilities may have grown over the years, her drive to make sure that patients, families and volunteers feel supported across the Trust remains unchanged.

Trudie said: “It is all about improving patient experience. If someone comes in looking lost, we’re there to make them feel welcome and at ease. Quite often patients and families can feel anxious about visiting hospital, and we’re there to support them and even signpost them towards different services.” 

A lifetime of volunteering 

For Trudie, the act of volunteering comes naturally – it is a passion that she has held for as long as she can remember. Throughout her extensive career, Trudie has volunteered across many organisations in a number of different roles. This has included fundraising for Children in Need alongside her role as a Grant Assessor, volunteering at Childline and Parentline, mentoring at the South Yorkshire Regen School and even giving up her time to engage with the elderly at care homes in Sheffield.  

Trudie said: “I think for me, volunteering is something that I’ve always felt is a part of me, as it is with others. Would you go and shop for your grandma when she got too old to carry the bags? Would you take next door’s dog for a walk? It’s just about wanting to help in some way, any way that you can.” 

Developing the volunteering service at Sheffield Children’s

Trudie’s extensive background in volunteering, alongside previous experience working within the NHS, meant that taking on the position of Volunteers Coordinator at Sheffield Children’s felt like the natural next step in her career. 

Trudie said: “When I saw the role at Sheffield Children’s ten years ago, it just felt like the right step. I love working and interacting with people. I’ve always worked in jobs where the focus has been on people – supporting, developing, helping people and communities. This role felt like something where I could continue to do this whilst also helping volunteers at Sheffield Children’s.”

Identifiable by their unmistakable red polo shirts, the volunteering team at Sheffield Children’s provide invaluable support for patients, families and colleagues across the Trust. Whether greeting patients and families when they first arrive, assisting play specialists to deliver activities or undertaking tasks in clinical areas whilst under supervision, volunteers at Sheffield Children’s form a crucial part of the Sheffield Children’s community.

As the service has developed, Trudie has strived to make sure that those who volunteer at the Trust continue to feel well-equipped to make a difference. Trudie said: “For some of our younger volunteers, this role might be their first step into the adult world. We try to make sure that we pair them with more experienced volunteers so that they feel comfortable and supported. It’s an area that we want to continue working on and build on some of the excellent work that has already been done.”

By maintaining this supportive environment, Trudie has seen volunteers progress in their careers, with some even taking on a role at Sheffield Children’s. Trudie said: “Seeing people evolve whilst volunteering with us and go on to do amazing things has been a real privilege. We’ve had medical students who have come in and are now doctors, speech and language therapists, nurses and more. When they start working, they are already well acquainted with the organisation and can hit the ground running.”

Therapy Dogs!

Trudie’s introduction of the therapy dog programme at Sheffield Children’s has made a lasting impact over the years. Since its beginnings, therapy dogs have provided a source of calm and emotional support to children, families and staff.

What sets this programme apart is the incredible volunteers who bring their own temperament-tested therapy dogs. Together with their handlers, they provide support that’s specifically tailored to the needs of those in the hospital. The therapy dog afternoons have become a highly anticipated event, with everyone looking forward to the positive impact the therapy dogs bring! 

Looking to the future

Alongside revisiting her passion for reading, you might not be surprised to hear that Trudie aims to spend her retirement doing what she does best: volunteering!

Trudie said: “I’m already looking at volunteering opportunities to get involved with in my retirement, so I’m looking forward to seeing where I end up. I’m also challenging myself to read 100 books this year, so I’d say I’m going to have my work cut out for me in retirement!”

As she heads towards retirement, Trudie has been reflecting on her time at Sheffield Children’s and is proud of the work that the service has accomplished during her tenure. 

Trudie said: “If anyone were to ask me if I would do it again, I’d say of course – in a heartbeat! It’s so interesting, and every day is different. You meet some of the most wonderful people who are all ultimately working towards achieving the same thing, which is supporting the children and young people who come through the door at Sheffield Children’s every day.”