Pursuing a fulfilling volunteering career post retirement
Pamela Robinson
Pamela Robinson is one of the 450 volunteers who works at Fiona Stanley Fremantle Hospitals Group (FSFHG) contributing to improving the experiences of our patients and their families.
After completing her nursing training in the UK, Pamela moved to Perth in 1975 and started working as intensive care nurse. Pamela has a diversity of experience in nursing and hospital management and has worked in hospitals in Perth, Sydney as well as internationally in the UK, USA, the Philippines and the United Arab Emirates until her retirement in 2014. In 2020, Pamela signed up to become a volunteer at Fiona Stanley hospital.
"As a nurse I have always provided a patient centric care but being a volunteer gives me an opportunity to provide person centric care that extends to family members of patients," said Pamela.
"No two days are the same in volunteering. Every day, depending on the need, we are allocated with different work areas. One day you may see me working at rehabilitation wards or at the emergency department and the next day I am helping at the reception, talking to patients, their families and assisting them with way finding."
As part of the prevention of alcohol related injury to youth (PARTY) program, Pamela loves to accompany students and youths to guided tour of the hospital and help them understand the risks, choices and consequences of such injuries.
When asked what keeps her going, Pamela says it's the fellow volunteers.
"It has been 4 years of volunteering but feels like yesterday. We have volunteers from multicultural backgrounds and working with them is very motivating. Everyone has an inspiring story to share and listening to those make me realise how the idea of helping others is valued across cultures."
Pamela values the time spent with patients which often leads to people sharing stories of their children or grandchildren.
"Volunteering certainly helps build bonds. Offering a helping hand to those in need is very rewarding and fulfilling. There's so much to do and volunteering offers a great opportunity to give back to the community."
