Mater Private Hospital Springfield volunteer Isabel Cumming turns 82 next week and she's got no desire to slow down any time soon.

Isabel has been giving up her time at Springfield since it opened seven years ago but also volunteers at Mater in South Brisbane where she's been for 17 years.

In fact, this week she clocked up 5,000 volunteering hours at Mater.

"I retired in 2005 from teacher aiding at a school in Goodna where I worked for 28 years," Isabel said.

"I just felt like I needed something else so I started volunteering. I help out at Springfield on Wednesday and South Brisbane on Thursday.

"I am a ward assistant here in Springfield and I work in the Cancer Care Centre at South Brisbane."

Part of her job at Springfield includes giving patients fresh water and cups of tea, offering blankets and having a chat to patients who want some company.

Isabel said she loves many parts of her role in the volunteer team.

"I hope that I give patients the same thing they give me - I am only too happy to see that they are ok," she said.

"I love the social side of it and meeting so many people as well as the satisfaction of making a difference.

"I lost my husband four and a half years ago after we were married for 56 years.

"I'd be very lonely if I didn't get out and about."