Pamela Malzard has been a hospital volunteer for the past two decades and, at 82, she has no plans to slow down.
She's one of 320 people who volunteer across the Gold Coast University Hospital and Robina Hospital.
Volunteer numbers have dropped during COVID, but it has not put Ms Malzard off.
She said the experience was good for the body and soul.
Hospitals can be intimidating places, but Ms Malzard always has a smile ready to greet visitors and patients as they walk through the entrance doors.
"It's wonderful," she said.
Jill McLucas took up volunteering when she retired and said it was an easy transition.
"I've worked in retail all my life and been with people, so I've just carried on, doing the same sort of thing, helping people," Ms McLucas said.
"Everyone that comes through the door, they've all got a story to tell, regardless of whether they're visiting a patient, going to have treatment or theatre, they always love someone in a blue shirt."
Decline in volunteers and roles
For the hospital hierarchy, the volunteers in blue were just as important as the doctors in white coats.
"For GC health, it just enhances our values and the culture of our organisation," recruiter and group manager Dale Tatterson said.
Since the coronavirus outbreak, however, there had been a 30 per cent decrease in volunteer numbers at the hospital.
The pandemic has also led to a shift in the volunteer demographic.
"We've got a lot of retirees who have time on their hands, but we did notice after COVID that a lot more young people did put their hand up to volunteer," Ms Tatterson said.
"That was because they were either suspended from their work or they were unable to find work, so they chose to give their time then to community, put their hand up to do some volunteering and most of them have stayed on."
Volunteering isn't just for retirees
22-year-old Blake Robinson is one of them.
As an international pilot, Mr Robinson has not worked since the start of the pandemic due to international border closures.
He said he was forced to look at how he was spending his time and wanted to do something to give back to the community.
When Mr Robinson does eventually head back to work, he plans to continue volunteering at the hospital.
"I know for me as a young individual, there's always this misconception that it's something you do after retirement," he said.
"But really it's just an incredible way to be part of the community."
