As a ‘Check and Chat’ volunteer, Maureen Treharne’s kindness and listening ear provides a lifeline for vulnerable patients.
The retired civil servant from Catterick Garrison helps to support patients from our trust, who feel lonely or isolated, by ringing them regularly for a friendly chat.
Taking their stress away
“Each of my calls can be anything from 10 minutes to two hours. It’s nice to speak to the same people week after week. I enjoy building up a relationship with them,” she said.
Sometimes I don’t have to say much, I listen and let them be heard. I feel like I’m helping them and taking their stress away. I genuinely care and want to listen.”
Dedicated to volunteering
Maureen, 77, lives with the vision loss condition retinitis pigmentosa (RP), and spends much of her time caring for husband Tony, who has undiagnosed mobility problems which affect his mental health.
But, despite her busy life and on-going eyesight issues, she is dedicated to volunteering – and regularly devotes up to seven days a week to helping others.
“I used to work for the Ministry of Defence in people-orientated roles, such as human resources and occupational health,” she said. “I started volunteering as I wanted to interact with people again. Being a volunteer allows me to be part of a team and help people.
“I emailed the trust to enquire about volunteering after seeing a leaflet about them in a pack Tony had been given at an appointment. I’m so chuffed I did. I’ve never looked back!”
Vital link between patients and volunteer drivers
Maureen not only devotes one day a week to providing a check and chat service but also plays a key role in co-ordinating transport links between patients and volunteer drivers.
The trust’s voluntary services team provides transport for patients who would otherwise be unable to get to hospital appointments – and Maureen is at the very heart of the project.
“I contact patients to remind them of arrangements and update volunteer drivers with any cancellations. This helps avoid unnecessary trips and makes the service run efficiently,” she said.
If I can’t get hold of patients and drivers during working hours, I’m happy to phone them on bank holidays and weekends. Patients are so grateful for the transport.”
Remarkable family life
Maureen’s dedication to transforming lives is rooted in her remarkable family life – having raised two sons who have both been awarded MBEs for helping others.
Her oldest son Andrew set up Biology Challenge – a prestigious biology competition for secondary school students. He’s also a volunteer and trustee of the registered charity which inspires and encourages biology education.
Maureen’s youngest, Adrian, inherited her eye condition and is registered blind. He was awarded an MBE for his charity work and is an avid champion and campaigner for people with disabilities.
“I’m the only one in my family who isn’t blind because of this condition. My mum lived with the disorder and also experienced mental health difficulties,” said Maureen.
She was blind and isolated. If check and chat had been around when she was alive, I’m sure it would have helped her a lot.”
Karen Sidgwick, voluntary services co-ordinator at Tees, Esk and Wear Valley NHS Foundation Trust, said: “There are not enough words to describe how amazing Maureen is. She is genuinely one of the most kind-hearted and caring people I know. She never thinks she is doing anything outstanding and yet she is.
“Since Maureen started phoning the patients to check if they still require volunteer transport, the number of missed appointments has significantly reduced, saving the NHS money and avoiding valuable appointments being wasted.
“The patients also get to know Maureen, and they have a good chat, which is great for people who are lonely.
I know everyone in our team thinks the world of Maureen. Our trust would not be the same without her in it.”
Reflecting on her three years at the trust, Maureen said: “I’ve met some good friends through volunteering. I enjoy being with people and speaking to them.
“I’d recommend volunteering to anyone who likes interacting with people. I certainly get a lot out of it myself.”
