Long-serving volunteer helps families through some of their toughest moments

The wonderful Ann Taylor

For 38 years, volunteer Ann Taylor has supported children and families through some of the most challenging moments of their lives, providing reassurance, practical assistance and a compassionate presence at Perth Children's Hospital (PCH) and Princess Margaret Hospital. 

The 93-year-old volunteer spoke with the Post Newspaper sharing how she began volunteering at Princess Margaret Hospital in 1988 and continues to support families today through the Child and Adolescent Health Service Volunteer Service. 

Working as a theatre escort volunteer, Ann helps guide patients and their families from pre-operative areas to anaesthetic theatres before accompanying parents to the hospital's family waiting room. 

"There are buckets of tears with parents at times," Ann said. 

"I always have lots of tissues in my pockets." 

Over nearly four decades, Ann has helped countless families navigate the uncertainty and stress that can accompany a hospital visit. 

"We have to work out whether they want to speak or not," she said. 

"At times it's a very stressful situation.” 

"We always try to encourage them to have a drink and a biscuit." 

Ann's commitment to supporting children and families extends beyond her volunteer role.  

During her time at Princess Margaret Hospital, she became involved with the Association for the Wellbeing of Children in Healthcare and advocated for parents to be able to accompany their children into anaesthetic rooms. 

"I say to the parents 'When they wake up, they'll think you've been there all that time'," she said. 

Throughout her years of volunteering, Ann has witnessed many memorable moments, including one involving a young patient undergoing treatment following a cancer diagnosis. 

"His mother was just distraught." 

“Over the next seven years, on a number of occasions that child went into theatre on days I worked”. 

"Every time the mother came out she would just burst into tears.” 

"I used to sit with her, not talking very much, just listening.” 

"Then one day I just happened to be called to theatre, and I saw this tall young man with a big shock of black hair. 

"I'd only ever seen him with his head shaved.” 

"His mum said to me, 'This is the last time. He has been cured'." 

National Volunteer Week provides an opportunity to recognise the significant contribution volunteers make across Child and Adolescent Health Service (CAHS) facilities. 

PCH Volunteer Coordinator Andy Wahid said around 550 volunteers currently support patients, families and staff across WA. 

"They range in age from 18 to 93 and we have about 50 languages spoken," shared Andy. 

CAHS volunteers do everything from escorting families to driving the PCH golf buggy and helping out teachers in the hospital's school. 

For Ann, it is the friendships, camaraderie and kindness she encounters that continue to make volunteering so rewarding. 

"You see so much kindness and compassion ... it's special," she said. 

"If you have a heart for children and families you'll find volunteering very rewarding." 

PCH thanks Ann and all volunteers for their significant and immeasurable contributions to supporting children, young people and families across Western Australia. 

To learn more about volunteering at Perth Children’s Hospital, click here.  

Read the coverage of Ann in the Post Newspaper below: