Stories of volunteers supporting the health service since 1949
Central London
The Guild of St Bartholomew’s is a group of volunteers established to ‘help the Hospital by personal service and by the provision of such amenities for the patients, staff, and students that would not be available for them under the NHS.’ While the hospital staff are responsible for the clinical needs of patients, the Guild, do everything they can to add to their experience. Since its founding in 1911 the group has carried out vital work to this end, sewing clothes for the staff and patients, decorating the wards with flowers, running a tea bar, and simply providing a human touch to the hospital. The group has also provided much needed supplementary funding, which has helped to buy life saving equipment. This has always been, and continues to be an important part of the Guilds’ contribution.
The 5th of July 1948 saw the birth of the NHS, The NHS was the product of years of hard work and motivation from a variety of figures who felt the need to revolutionise the current healthcare system. The NHS meant that patients could now receive treatment free of charge, and this new system would go on to be one of the most comprehensive of its kind.
In 1957, after supplying flowers in outpatient and casualty registration for several years, the Guild decided to put its green thumbed volunteers to use in a larger project. A garden was founded on top of the surgical block as a retreat for patients and staff, and in 1960 the group opened its own flower shop. This is part of the Guild’s project to tend to the spiritual needs of patients that may otherwise be left out of the hospital budget, even taking convalescent patients to the seaside to help them recover
The Guild opens a florist and provided fresh flowers for patients and functions, as well as several bouquets for View Day. 13 floral arrangements were provided by the shop for the visit of HM the Queen when she opened the Queen Elizabeth II block. Flowers have also been supplied for weddings and funerals.
In 1982, the first Christmas concert took place. It was performed by members of the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden. A year later, the concert took place again, and raised £17,000, and when added to the proceeds of a fair organised by the Students Union in 1983, almost £100,000 of new funds was raised.
In June 1990, the Guild was invited to participate in HM the Queen Mother’s 90th birthday celebrations. Mrs Ann Wickham, and Mrs Gillet joined other representatives from the League of Hospital Friends as well as 6000 servicemen on Horse Guards Parade, this was a huge honour for the Guild.
To celebrate the 100th birthday of the Guild’s patron, it was decided to rename the garden behind St Bartholomew ‘The Princess Alice Garden’ and once refurbished, it was formally opened by her son, HRH the Duke of Gloucester. Sadly, HRH Princess Alice died a few days later.
On the 25th May 2011, the Guild triumphantly celebrated a century of service with a fair in the Great Hall. There was also a celebratory concert held at the City Temple Holborn. This welcomed Barts Chamber Choir and the Trafalgar Sinfonia who gave a fantastic performance of some of Handel’s most popular music.
Listen 00:17:04
Story: Ian McDowell - Central London
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Story: Ann Wickham - Central London
Listen 00:10:51
Story: Jan O'Neill - Central London