Stories of volunteers supporting the health service since 1949
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.
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.
The Friends of Aspen Court are an organisation of volunteers that work to support the people of Aspen Court Care Home in Poplar.
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.
The Friends of Acorn Lodge Care Home support the work of the home situated in Nuneaton. Acorn Lodge is a purpose-built care home offering Dementia, Nursing, Residential, Respite and End of Life Care. Acorn Lodge Care Home also provides specialist care for young people with physical disabilities.
Enfield Stroke Friends is a dedicated group of volunteers that empowers people who have had strokes by helping them find volunteer placements. Their main goal is to support stroke survivors in gaining new skills, and perfecting old skills through volunteering.
Formed in 1971, Ellesmere Community Care Centre League of Friends raises funds to enable improvements to be made to the then Ellesmere Cottage Hospital, including building extension work and the provision of equipment. In 1990, the Cottage Hospital was closed and the League set about raising £250,000 to purchase the building from the NHS.
The Elizabeth Garrett Anderson and Obstetric Hospital and its predecessor organisations provided health care to women in central London from the mid-Victorian era. It was named after Elizabeth Garrett Anderson, one of Britain's first female physicians, and its work continues in the modern Elizabeth Garrett Anderson wing of University College Hospital, part of UCLH NHS Foundation Trust.
The Ealing Hospital League of Friends was founded in 1992, when the current hospital was built. The charity was set up to provide assistance for patients and staff at Ealing Hospital.
The Chester Childbirth Appeal (CCA), established in 1991 by Patricia Daniels, M.B.E., is a charity that fundraises for the Women and Children’s unit at Countess of Chester Hospital. The primary goal of the charity is to support the unit in providing care for mothers and approximately 3,000 newborns each year.
Business Opportunities for the Physically Handicapped (BOPH) works with disabled people in Essex to provide work placements for people with learning difficulties or physical disabilities.
Brentwood Community Hospital was founded in 1934 by the collective efforts of Brentwood residents. Brentwood community leaders hosted sporting contests, plays, social events, and raffles to raise funds for building the hospital.
The League of Friends of Basildon Hospital was formed over 50 years ago and, through their tea-bar at Basildon Hospital, which is run entirely by their dedicated volunteers, has raised an impressive £1.6 million.
The Avenue Child Contact Centre was established in 2004 due to the need for a safe venue for contact for children with separated families. The Avenue Baptist Church, the site of the centre, has a prime location near a park and town centre as well as building parking for easy accessibility. The Contact Centre provides a safe and neutral environment for children to meet non-resident parents, equipped with toys, games, and other items that children may need.
Aphasia Re-Connect is a national charity with the primary aim of connecting people who suffered a stroke and now experience aphasia, via a variety of support groups.
The group was founded in 2017 by Sally McVicker, a qualified speech and language therapist, who was motivated by the large number of people who expresses the need for communication support in the longer term.
Established in 1948, the Amman Valley Hospital League of Friends (AVHLoF) is comprised of members of the general public. Their main purpose is to:
raise money to provide equipment and facilities for the benefit of patients and staff at the hospital
encourage and maintain the interest and support of the public in the patients and staff at the hospital
foster new but also maintain and improve current partnerships within and external to the hospital, for the benefit of patients and staff at the hospital