Tea bar volunteer says farewell after 30 years
Published on 31/03/2026
Jean Mannan is hanging up her apron after more than 30 years volunteering at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB).
Jean left her job in the 1990s following surgery on her leg to treat lymphoedema, a condition that causes swelling. While recovering, she saw an advert in her local church for volunteers at her local hospital.
Jean recalled: “I was 49 at the time and was keen to have something to do – sitting around just doesn’t suit me. I started volunteering on the tea bar in the radiotherapy department in 1995, alongside a lady called Lizzy.
“We served cups of tea for 12p and biscuits for 30p and would make cakes and sandwiches to sell – cheese and onion cobs, scones, banana bread, carrot cake, with all the proceeds going to the hospital charity. We’d refuse to go home for the day until we’d raised £100.”
Jean and her fellow tea bar volunteers have raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for the department over the years, contributing towards the CyberKnife radiotherapy machine, refurbishing the waiting area, buying presents for paediatric patients to celebrate finishing their radiotherapy, and other radiotherapy equipment.
The tea bar, which has been affectionately nicknamed ‘Jean’s naughty corner’ by colleagues working in radiotherapy, is more than just a place to get a drink. Jean explains:
“I’m a happy bunny and love having a chat. The best part about volunteering has been the conversations. I don’t just stand behind the counter – I'll have a walk around and say hello. I’ve talked to thousands of patients and got to know some of them really well. I’ve had cancer myself and lost my daughter to breast cancer, so I understand it’s hard and I have a lot of empathy – especially when I see children coming to the department for treatment.
“I’ve always had the mindset of ‘I’m not going to worry about something I’ve got no control over’ and hope that some of my positivity has rubbed off on those around me over the years. I think it has.”
Jean, who turns 82 in September, was volunteering every Wednesday, from 6.30am - 5pm, until last month when she decided it was the right time to leave. She is planning to move to Lanark, Scotland, to be close to her granddaughter soon. In the meantime, she is enjoying day trips to Worcester and Stratford with her sister, and spending time with the many friends she has made over the years volunteering at QEHB.
She adds: “For years my friends and family have been saying to me ‘come on Jean, isn’t it time to have a rest?’ But volunteering at the hospital has genuinely made me so happy. It’s kept my legs and brain in use. If you don’t use it, you lose it and I’m not going to sit at home staring out the window just because I’m getting older.”
Rosemary Simmons, Radiotherapy Lead Manager at QEHB, said: “Jean will never know the huge impact she has had on the thousands of patients and staff who have come into contact with her over the years.
“She will be so dearly missed. It’s not just about a cup of tea. It’s the smiles, conversations, warmth – all things that can really turn someone’s day around.”
