As a military wife for 20 years, Angie Duffin spent her life putting other people first.
Like many military spouses, she could suddenly be required to pack up all her worldly goods and change countries to follow her husband Tim to his latest posting, uprooting their four children in the process.
Despite Angie’s lifelong ambition of having a career in the NHS, she was never able to commit to that kind of job. Now, she has finally achieved her dream through the Volunteer To Career (VTC) scheme at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and is about to start a paid role in pathology.
JUGGLING ACT
Originally from South Africa, Angie came to Britain in 2001 where she fell in love and married Tim. Fast forward a few years and with four children, Angie’s life became a balancing act between being a mum and supporting her husband’s military career.
She managed to juggle work as a healthcare assistant, usually for private nursing homes and often working shifts. It was rewarding but it was never the career she really wanted.
“Life as a military wife is challenging. Your husband is away much of the time so for many women it is like being a single mum – you have to manage everything on your own. When you suddenly find yourself in a different country, knowing no one, it can be lonely and isolating.”
In 2019 Tim, a soldier with the Royal Engineers, left the army after 24 years of service.
Settling as a family in Gloucester, Angie continued to work as a healthcare assistant while looking for work in the NHS. In October 2024 she signed up to volunteer one day a week in the emergency department of Gloucestershire Royal Hospital.
“I was thrilled, my role was to relieve some of the pressure from the doctors and nurses by helping the patients with the softer side of things, chatting to them, making teas and coffees, making sure they understood what was going on. I loved it.”
A NEW PATH
In January 2025 a new opportunity came up and Angie was invited to apply for the innovative Volunteer To Career scheme – developed by national healthcare volunteering charity Helpforce – working in the trust’s pathology department.
“Our VTC co-ordinator Joanna called me in to talk about it as she knew I was interested in pathology and it offered me a pathway into a career,” said Angie. Angie took to pathology like a duck to water and loved the new opportunity. By rotating around the different labs she got to see what went on in each area of the department. “I can’t tell you the impact the VTC programme has had on my life. It’s been a really big deal for me, it has been life-changing,” said Angie.
“The pathology department is clearly the place where I belong. I’ve learnt so much by talking to people and watching what goes on.”
When a paid role as a Medical Laboratory Assistant came up Angie applied. She was overjoyed when she was not only offered the job but flexible hours to suit her lifestyle. As Tim is still away a great deal in his civilian role with the Halo Trust, Angie wants to spend her time with him when he is at home.
“I’ll be 50 this year and have spent the last 20 years as a healthcare assistant and military wife. This feels like a whole new chapter of my life: it’s time for me, for my career and my dreams. I’ve put everyone and everything else first for a long time – now it’s my turn.”
Helpforce’s Volunteer To Career programme helps people from all walks of life transition from volunteer roles to permanent health careers.