Jean’s Story

Jean’s story

When Jean Grout started work at the Peace Memorial Hospital in 1957 she never could have imagined what the future of the building would be and how she would come to be connected to it again, almost seven decades later. She tells us how her voluntary work has brought her ‘full circle’ to where her career started, and why she finds it a great way to spend some of her time in retirement.  

Jean says:  

“I’ve been volunteering with the Rennie Grove Peace charity shop on St Peter’s Street in St Albans for almost two years. But my connection with the cause goes way back.  

“As a 17-year-old in 1957 I took a job as a junior medical laboratory technician at Peace Memorial Hospital. I absolutely loved that job and have many fond memories of that time.  

“My career and family life then took me away from Watford when I qualified as a Radiographer at Charing Cross Hospital, then worked in Kings College, Guys and St Thomas’ Hospital. 

“After my retirement, I moved to St Albans and volunteered as a STEM Ambassador, helping in schools. After this, I volunteered for work in Kenya where I have spent 10 years involved with the repair and maintenance of community hand pumps, providing access to water for the local communities. So far, 2,792 pumps have been repaired serving more than 765,000 people living in the local Kenyan communities. 

Volunteering in our shops

 “Now, finding myself with some time on my hands, I decided to volunteer with Rennie Grove Peace. I’ve always enjoyed going into the St Peter Street shop as it’s just down the road from me. The staff are always very friendly and the products are great quality.   

“When I decided to make the leap from customer to volunteer, I popped in and met with the shop manager and we’ve taken it from there. I now volunteer each Tuesday morning and I regularly cover other shifts when volunteers are either sick or away.  

“I was keen to be in a customer-facing role, rather than behind the scenes, so my shifts include serving customers, operating the till, keeping the shop clean and tidy and preparing items to go on to the shop floor.  

“I enjoy everything about volunteering. I enjoy the interaction with customers and helping them while they’re in the shop. There’s a real community feel to the shop. For example, when we recently had a notice from the Police about a rise in fraudulent bank notes, I shared the information with our customers who pay with cash, so they can be vigilant about spotting fakes themselves. Having the time to spend with customers and really talk to them is something that I enjoy about volunteering.   

“This is my first time volunteering in a charity shop. I enjoy volunteering with Rennie Grove Peace because for me it’s like a ‘full circle’ – I started my career at the Peace Memorial Hospital and I’m now spending some of my retirement volunteering for the charity that now occupies that same building.”