WITH ages ranging from 19 to 84, volunteers at Great Western Hospital prove that there's no age limit to kindness.

To find out about the good work done by the volunteers I went along to the hospital one Wednesday morning to see them on their rounds.

Volunteers are asked to give at least three hours a week.

The important roles fulfilled by the volunteers range from escorting patients around the hospital to playing with children and even gardening and hairdressing duties.

But, according to the hospital's oldest volunteer 84-year-old Ted Brewer, the most important duty can be the simplest.

"A lot of people in hospital just want someone to have a chat with," said Ted, as he prepared to take the tea trolley through to thirsty patients.

"It can be quite a lonely experience to be in hospital and even though the nurses are very friendly they have a lot of things to do.

"That's where we come in - we can take on some jobs so that the nurses can be freed up to do what they do best.

"You also shouldn't underestimate the importance of a cup of tea - that's why they used to call me Teapot Ted."

This is a view shared by the youngest of the hospital's volunteers, 19-year-old Alina Thapa.

The New College student, who is originally from Nepal, but now lives in Pinehurst, said she enjoys the interaction with the patients.

I met her as she helped staff prepare for lunchtime.

She said: "It's so interesting - I have met a lot of very nice people.

"It's really nice to talk to the older people because I think they have such a lot of experience and great stories.

"I feel I can learn a lot from them.

"Last week I was speaking to a lady for about half an hour and I could see that she was really happy to have someone to speak to.

"It's a very good feeling that I can help a patient to smile."

Alina is in her second year of studying A-Levels at New College, and hopes to go on to study medicine at university.

She said: "I want to become a doctor so it's good for me to be in this environment and to see nurses and doctors relate to the patients."

Alina explained her reasons for becoming a volunteer.

"It's something that my mum always wanted to do, so I suppose that's how I first thought about it," she said.

"Then I heard about the opportunities at the hospital through my college.

"It seemed like something that could really benefit me."

Ted, who was awarded a British Empire Medal in 1988 for his services to charity, said volunteering was an excellent way for older people to keep active in mind and body.

He said: "When you retire, you don't retire from life.

"I couldn't sit around watching telly all day - this is a much better way of spending your time.

"It keeps you fit - all those stairs will do that - it's interesting, and it helps other people."

Steve Talbot helps to escort patients in wheelchairs around the hospital.

As he escorted a patient back to her car after an eye exam he explained the rewards of volunteering for the hospital.

He said: "It's a very satisfying experience and I've met a lot of interesting people.

"It can take up as little as three hours a week so I'd definitely recommend it to other people."