Volunteer of the Month - April 2023 - Phil Woodage

We couldn’t let the London Marathon month of April pass without paying tribute to the legend that is Phil Woodage. Affectionately known as ‘Coach Phil’, Phil always has pro training advice aplenty for Hearing Dogs runners and makes a point of sponsoring their sporting endeavours.

Coach Phil really does know what he’s talking about having run multiple marathons across the globe, achieved a 1hr26 personal best half marathon, and being a much respected, honorary lifetime member of Bearbrook Running & Triathlon Club.

Online Retail Coordinator, Kirsty Eade, says: “I’m currently training for this year’s London Marathon. Thanks to Phil, I’ve had brilliant tips, encouragement and support throughout.”

April also marks Phil’s eighth year anniversary of volunteering with Hearing Dogs for Deaf People. Two of our longest serving volunteers John & Val Corteen encouraged him to get involved, commenting “they always need people!” when Phil showed an interest in the puppies they trained.

The rest, as they say, is history! Phil fitted into the Hearing Dogs volunteer family seamlessly, initially taking up a regular gardening role which helped with the Parkinson’s diagnosis he’d not long received at that point.

Roisin Stewart, Head of Grange Estates, says: “Phil is a wonderful volunteer and an amazing help watering and looking after our troughs and containers across the site, as well the memorial pots in the remembrance garden with such love and care. We would be lost without his invaluable support on the Gardening team.”

Phil generously pays for bedding plants from his own pocket, always taking time to find the nicest and healthiest flowers to cheer our gardens, as well as often popping a magnificent Poinsettia on Reception at Christmastime. He grows tomatoes and strawberries at home, which are generously shared out too.

Lynne Weston, from the Reception team, observes: “Phil always comes to see us on Reception for a chat and update as to who is around, then off he goes to get busy! He’s here most weeks and can be spotted tidying the flower beds or catching up with everyone.”

Fellow volunteer Peter Williams knows Phil well: “On Tuesdays and Fridays, Phil can be seen tending the many flowerpots and troughs around The Grange site. Not only does Phil ensure they look good, he also generously donates bedding plants to go in them.

After gardening, Phil enjoys a chat in The Barn staff and volunteer restaurant, always ready to advise aspiring runners and, in most instances, sponsoring them too.

In the holiday season Phil has often looked after trainee hearing dogs whilst their full-time carers are away. For the last two years, Phil provided former hearing dog Ash with a well-earned and luxurious retirement. Ash was a regular visitor to The Grange, where Phil introduced him and recounted his story to visitors, who must surely have been impressed at how well retired hearing dogs are cared for. Unfortunately, Ash passed away recently, and he is clearly greatly missed.

Phil also helps at events at The Grange, whether on the car park or the tombola or volunteer stalls. Despite several ailments, Phil is an inspiration on how to stay positive in the face of adversity, engaging with current and potential volunteers in promoting the work of Hearing Dogs, he’s a truly great ambassador.”

Phil was the first volunteer that Gabi Reypert, Volunteer Enquiries Coordinator, met on day one of working for Hearing Dogs: “All the nerves and first-day jitters of learning people’s names, getting my bearings and understanding the routine were immediately calmed by Phil.

He welcomed me and made me feel at ease, and he absolutely lights up when talking about the gardening he does on site, as well as his success with strawberries and tomatoes at home. It isn’t difficult for Phil’s warm-heartedness to rub off on you, and I will always hold him in high esteem, as does everyone who meets him.”

Phil certainly is the friendly face of Hearing Dogs. He’s notable in either in his running club woolly hat, or shorts that come out at first sign of spring. His beloved ‘Ashy Boy’ also had a signature look, and was well known for the cosy jumper he started wearing to keep warm.

It was with huge sadness across the Charity that retired hearing dog Ash sadly passed away in February of this year. He had a wonderful thirteen years as a working assistance dog with his deaf partner, before finding the perfect retirement home with Phil. Ash never looked his age and sprang easily onto Phil’s sofa to companionably enjoy any amount of sports TV!

Ash couldn’t have been luckier to find Phil, and vice versa. Together they always greeted visitors to The Grange whilst outside gardening, attending events and representing Hearing Dogs in the most splendid, unique way. Phil has a cheery word for everyone, is full of thoughtfulness, and has genuinely opened many people’s eyes to the care and kindness that is afforded to hearing dogs for their entire lifetime.

We are blessed that, thanks to the Corteens, dog-lover Phil found his way to Hearing Dogs. Over the last three years, he has been donating the stipends he’s received from being involved with a Covid study trial to the Charity, and he is also a puppy sponsor – always choosing to support Labradors, the breed closest to his heart before Yorkipoo Ash came along.

Phil has touched the lives of many people who come into conversation with him whilst coming and going at Hearing Dogs, and we know how well liked and respected he is in the others areas of his life amongst family, friends, neighbours and his running club. We are honoured that he chooses to gift his time and volunteer here, spreading his kind-hearted, affable good nature with both man and dog.