hen Debbie Lavery first brought home her cavapoochon, Pippin, she had no idea just how profound an impact the little dog would have. A gift from her late father shortly before he passed away from dementia in 2024, Pippin provided immeasurable comfort in his final days. “After seeing how Pippin helped my father, I thought, if she can do it for dad, maybe she can do it for other people,” explains Debbie.
Now, Debbie and Pippin volunteer at Great Western Hospital in Swindon, visiting patients across the wards, from toddlers in the children’s unit to elderly individuals in critical care. Their visits offer more than just distraction; they bring a sense of calm, connection, and joy to people in difficult circumstances and alien environments.
Volunteers like Debbie have long played a vital (and sometimes unseen) role in our healthcare system. At a time when pressures on NHS staff and patient care are at a worrying level, their support has never been more essential. Whether through emotional support, practical help, or simply a friendly presence, volunteers help ensure that everyone can get the healthcare they deserve.
“Patients react in different ways,” she explains. “Some will hug Pippin and start to cry. Sometimes it’s because they’re missing a pet at home, or they’ve been in hospital for a while. There are so many emotions, but it’s always positive.”
And it’s not just the patients who benefit. Pippin has become something of a celebrity among the hospital staff, who often need a lift just as much as the patients. “They’ve got a hard, stressful job,” says Debbie. “Giving them a few minutes to have a stroke and a chat can make such a difference to their day.”
Pippin’s intuitive nature adds something extra to each visit - she’ll often be the one leading Debbie around the hospital, rather than the other way around.
“Everybody thinks their dog is wonderful, but I genuinely think Pippin is special,” Debbie shares. “She has this magical way of sensing when someone needs her. We’ll be finishing our shift and about to leave, and she’ll start pawing at me. Then she’ll lead me into a room, and I’ll have to explain that she wanted to visit. And more often than not, it turns out to be the most meaningful visit of the day.”
NHS Charities Together believe there should never be a barrier to volunteering. Everyone should have the opportunity to get involved and make a difference. Stories like Debbie’s remind us how powerful even small acts of kindness can be, and why volunteers are such an essential part of helping the NHS thrive.
Watch the video above and follow Debbie and Pippin on their hospital rounds, as they offer comfort, companionship, and a reminder that even the smallest gestures of kindness can make a lasting impact.
Woman&Home is celebrating the vital role NHS charities play within our health system — from improving patient experience and supporting the wellbeing of staff, to helping people lead healthier lives at home
The HEART of
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Sponsor Content Created with NHS Charities Together
HEALTHCARE
In partnership with NHS Charities Together, we’ll be spotlighting the many ways these charities enhance care across the UK, including making it easier for people to give back through volunteering.
With demand on the NHS higher than ever, NHS Charities Together is working to ensure everyone can access the healthcare they deserve.
“Volunteering as a pet therapist has made me realise that a little empathy goes a long way”
VOLUNTEERING
To find out more about how NHS Charities Together are helping make healthcare better for everyone, visit nhscharitiestogether.co.uk
Community First Responders
“The survival rate for what happened to me is less than 10% if it’s outside a hospital - so to be here is beyond miracles”
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“I’ll start by saying you’re looking at a miracle,” says Mark. “I was gone. My eyes were open, and I wasn’t there. “My mate Steve started CPR while Dave called 999. Pete Bishop, the Community First Responder, arrived about nine minutes later and shocked me twice. Somehow, I came back. The survival rate for what happened to me is less than 10% if it’s outside a hospital - so to be here is beyond miracles.”
Before his cardiac arrest, Mark admits he had no idea what a Community First Responder was. “They’re not paramedics,” he explains. “They’re everyday people who volunteer their time to be on call and help when emergencies happen. To be the first responder, and in this case to save a life, is just outstanding.”
For Community First Responder, Pete Bishop, the experience was deeply personal. “Mark has a 7-year-old son,” he says. “I lost my dad when I was nine, so knowing I’ve helped prevent another young boy from going through that is incredibly moving.
“We don’t just deal with cardiac arrests - we attend strokes, heart attacks, and all sorts of emergencies. Every Community First Responder is driven by the same thing: to care for others.”
Watch the video above to see why stories like Mark and Pete’s highlight the vital role community volunteers play in saving lives. They are living proof that courage, compassion and quick action can make the difference between tragedy and survival. Working with UK ambulance charities, including South Western Ambulance Charity, NHS Charities Together is investing in Community First Responders – providing training, enhanced equipment and response cars, to help people in need quickly.
Ana Campbell, Community First Responder, adds how rewarding it is to help her local community. “When that emergency call comes in, you obviously get quite a little shot of adrenaline, and a little nervous about getting ready to go out - especially if it’s a category one, which is the most senior level.
“But you know you can do it because you’ve had good training and you’re going to give back to the community.”
hen Mark Moran set out for a bike ride in the Cotswolds with his friends Steve and Dave, he never imagined how close he would come to losing his life - or how the swift actions of a stranger would save it. Midway through the ride, Mark began to feel dizzy and collapsed, and his heart stopped beating for 15 minutes. Thanks to Community First Responder Pete Bishop, who performed CPR and used a defibrillator, Mark has made an extraordinary recovery.
VOLUNTEERING