Friends Voices

Stories of volunteers supporting the health service since 1949

Organisations

In 1949 groups of volunteers in hospitals came together under one umbrella organisation, now called Attend. There are now over 350 member groups of Attend across the country. Find out more below about the groups, their history and how you can get involved.

Image of the entrance to the hospital

Friends of the Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine

The Friends of the RLHIM have been supporting the hospital and its patients since 1975.

Organisation
Foyer display of sales table for the friends

Friends of St Mary’s Hospital

Friends of St Mary’s Hospital is an independent voluntary organisation providing support and raising funds for St Mary’s and Western Eye hospitals.

Organisation
Black and white photo of the original hospital frontage

Friends of St Mark’s Hospital

The Friends of St Marks is a group of volunteers who support the work of the hospital in myriad ways. The group began its life as the Samaritan’s Society in 1868, and its remit was ‘for the alleviation of some of the many distresses among the patients for which no provision can be expected to be made in the parent Charity [of the Hospital]’.

Organisation
A photo taken from above showing all of the volunteers

Friends of Robert Jones & Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital

The Friends of Robert Jones & Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital officially formed in 1961, following decades of volunteering in the hospital assisting patients and hospital staff. The Friends support RJAH hospital, assisting with research and equipment funding to create a positive facility for patient care. Volunteers are recruited to support patients and make the public aware of the work being done at the hospital. The League of Friends fundraises in various ways, including retail, events, and sponsorship.

Organisation
Photo showing the front of the care home

Friends of One Tower Bridge Road

The Friends of One Tower Bridge Road supports residents of the One Tower Bridge Road care home through developing services on sight. These services allow those who cannot leave their homes to feel included in community activities. The Friends provide assistance to activity coordinators during activities and outings, collaborating with staff, residents, and their families. 

The Friends fund everything from regular activities to small events that add value to the lives of residents. 

One Tower Bridge is a 128-bed care home that specialises in Dementia, Nursing, Residential, and Respite care. 

Organisation
A photo of Oaklands care home reception area

Friends of Oaklands

The Friends of Oaklands were founded to support the residents and staff at Oaklands Care Home. On the first Wednesday of every month, the Friends host a Dementia Café at Oaklands. This free event encourages residents with dementia to come, enjoy tea and biscuits, and have a nice chat with each other and the volunteers.

Organisation
A photograph of the front of the care home building

Friends of Newcross Care Home

The Friends of Newcross support the work of the home situated within Wolverhampton, West Midlands. Newcross is a purpose-built care home offering Dementia, Nursing, Residential, Respite and End of Life care. The Friends aim to improve the quality of life of the residents of the care home by working with staff, residents and relatives. 

Organisation
Photograph of the building front of Milliner House care home

Friends of Milliner House

The Friends of Milliner house support the work of the home. Situated on the outskirts of Luton, Bedfordshire, Milliner House is a purpose-built care home offering dementia, residential and mental health care.

Organisation

Friends of Larchwood

Friends of Larchwood aim to relieve the social isolation of the elderly in Larchwood by providing equipment, facilities, activities and services over and above those provided for the residents, particularly with a view to helping residents of the care home and elderly people in the wider community undertake rewarding activities.

Organisation
Photograph of a group of people sitting around a garden table

Friends of King George Hospital

Founded in 1971, the Friends of King George Hospital is a group of volunteers under the League of Friends organisation, dedicated to assisting the patients and staff of the King George Hospital in Ilford.

Organisation
A photograph showing the front of Horse Fair care home building

Friends of Horse Fair

The Friends of Horse Fair support the work of the home situated within Rugeley, Staffordshire. Horse Fair is a purpose built care home offering Dementia, Nursing, Residential, Respite and End of Life care. Horse Fair Care Home also provides specialist care for young people with physical disabilities.

Organisation

Friends of Cedar House

The Friends of Cedar House held their first meeting on 2nd July 2015. It came together as a response from Harefield to support its elders living in Cedar House. It was supported in its ambitions by Attend Academy. Other supporting organisations were Harefield Baptist Church, and the Harefield Academy.

Organisation

Friends of Cathja

Friends of Cathja is a registered charity that provides a unique service to people suffering from enduring mental health problems.

Organisation
Photograph showing small trees and shrubs at the entrance to the care home

Friends of Birchwood Grange

The Friends of Birchwood Grange Care Home support the work of the home situated in Harrow.  Birchwood Grange is a friendly care home that offers residential care, residential dementia care and respite care.

Organisation
Image of elderly people sitting around a table in the middle of a hospital ward. 1960's

Friends of Barnes Hospital

The Friends of Barnes Hospital first came into existence when local churches and other organisations in the area decided to provide presents for patients in 1948.

Organisation
Image of ladies standing in front of a plant staff

Friends of Barking Hospital

The Barking Hospital League of Friends has been a vital part of the hospital for nearly 60 years. During that time, volunteers have fundraised in all sorts of ways from tabletop sales in the entrance of the hospital to  organising a hospital fete, bringing in thousands of pounds for urgent equipment for the hospital.

Organisation
An image showing the front of Avery Place care home and part of the gardens

Friends of Avery Place

The Friends of Avery Place support the work of the Acer Court and Alder House Care home situated in Nottingham. Avery Place is a purpose-built care home offering Dementia, Nursing, Residential, Respite and End of Life care. Avery Place Care Home also provides specialist care for young people with physical disabilities.

Organisation
Friends of Attend logo

Friends of Attend ABI

The Friends of Attend ABI (FAABI) is a charity founded by volunteers sharing a common goal — to enhance the well-being of those impacted by brain injuries through social activities, workshops, events, and information sessions, where members can make new friends and learn new skills.

Organisation
A photo of the front of the care home building

Friends of Aspen Court

The Friends of Aspen Court are an organisation of volunteers that work to support the people of Aspen Court Care Home in Poplar.

Organisation
A photo of Amarna House building from the front

Friends of Amarna House

The Friends of Amarna House support the work of the home.  Situated in the heart of a residential community in the historic city of York. Amarna House is an 80 bedded care home offering a range of care including Dementia, Nursing and Residential care.

Organisation