We held a special event to honour our dedicated volunteers who give up their spare time to help at our Trust. They were treated to a lunch and awards celebration at Queen’s Hospital in the marquee on Thursday 11 July.

Entertainment included a singer and a live magician who went table to table to perform. Long Service Awards were presented to celebrate volunteers who have been at the Trust for more than five years.

Chief Executive Matthew Trainer said:

It’s just fantastic to see that humanity and that compassion you bring into the organisation. On behalf of the Exec team and the Board, we’re really grateful for what you contribute.

Our Acting Chair, Mehboob Khan, said:

The medical staff provide fantastic clinical care and services but having a volunteer on the ward just makes it so special and so different. Someone you can talk to; someone you can have a chat with; someone who brings a dog around; and it’s that difference that you make every day when you’re in our hospitals. That’s why we’re having this event.  I want to say a truly heartfelt huge thank you of behalf on the entire workforce for everything that you do.

Volunteers spoke of their passion for helping staff and patients get the care they need. Charlie Richardson (pictured with Matthew) won the top fundraiser award. 

Charlie, who is in his seventh year at our Trust, volunteers two to three days a week at King George and Queen’s hospitals. He has raised thousands of pounds over the years by doing activities including skydiving and abseiling.

He is a patient wayfinder, which means he shows visitors round if they are not sure where to go and points them in the right direction. He is also a patient partner for Outpatients. Charlie explained that his wife got treated at the Trust years ago and he volunteers to give back to the community at his local hospital. 

Zach the Therapy Dog won the Sunshine Award for being a volunteer who always brings positivity and joy to the hospital environment!

Hazel said:

He was already a therapy dog. We used to visit care homes and I use him as my assistance dog, so I thought - if he helps me, why not help other people? Quite a lot of people love a cuddle with Zach!

He helps dementia patients. They may struggle to remember names but when they see Zach, they remember every dog they have ever had, which is just remarkable. When he won the award today, I didn’t see it as an award for me, it’s his award. I’m just his chauffeur!

Nicola Sargent and Caroline Ramstead are Daisy Volunteers who help end-of-life patients across our Trust. Nicola said:

We visit patients who sometimes don’t have any family or are dying alone. We also provide respite to families. It’s very hard when you are with a relative or a loved one who is sadly dying. We come along, support them and families are really grateful of that.

Caroline added:

We are part of the Chaplaincy team based in the Bereavement office. We really do go above and beyond for families to make sure their last days and hours are very comfortable.

 
Pat and Allan Palmer see their volunteering as a way of giving something back.