Stories of volunteers supporting the health service since 1949
23 results
Retired nurses, Yvonne Frost and Carol Watson, reflect on their years at St. Oswald’s Hospital, sharing memories of their care, community, and the close relationships they built with their patients. After retiring, they continue their involvement t...
After a difficult childhood in East London, Pauline has been working and then volunteering with disabled children, and disabled adults all of her life, as a social worker but also in multiple charities, before ending up in BOPH, where she has been fo...
Robert Fox (Kath Fox), The League of Friends of Deeside Community HospitalFollowing her death, Robert Fox talks about the life of his Mum, Kath. Robert tells of her early life as the daughter of a miner, and gives insights into both the challenges of that life, as well as Kath and her families determination to take adva...
Kevin Madge, Amman Valley Hospital League of FriendsKevin has been an active part of the community since he was 18 years old. He talks about his involvement with the Amman Valley Hospital League of Friends as well as his career full of public service.He is currently the Chair of Carmarthenshire County...
Barbara Wren, Brentwood Community Hospital League of FriendsBarbara started her career as a bursar at a local school. During her time there she found herself going above and beyond for the students. She took that work ethic with her to the Highwood Hospital and then to the Brentwood Community Hospital.She use...
Don and Louise Wyman, Friends of King George HospitalVolunteering to support their community began for the Wymans with the PTA at their childrens school. The League of Friends recognised their skills as fundraisers, and they were soon recruited to the newly formed group.Over 50 years later they are ...
Ellesmere Community Care Centre League of FriendsFormed 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 w...
League of Hospital Friends (Mansfield and Sutton)Since 1948, the League of Hospital Friends (Mansfield and Sutton) have raised funds for and given support to three local hospitals: Kings Mill Hospital, Mansfield Community Hospital, and Millbrook Unit, Sutton in Ashfield. In support of the work ...
Peter Green, League of Hospital Friends Mansfield & Sutton With generations of the family coming from Mansfield, it seemed obvious to Peter that not only would he work locally, but that he would contribute to that community through his voluntary efforts. As early as the 1950’s, he began volunteering, and i...
Peter and Julie Cook describe a life where they have been interested in the people and communities around them. On retirement they both used their skills acquired in the business world to full effect to support local charities.Inspired by the challen...
Ann Davies MBE, Prestatyn Central Surgery Community League of FriendsAnn Davies first began fundraising for the League of Friends before the formation of the NHS. She has given her time generously throughout her life to a variety of organisation including the Church, and local hospitals wherever she has lived. Sh...
Lord Barry Jones, The League of Friends of the Deeside Community HospitalLord Barry Jones, an 88 year-old resident of Flintshire, reflects on his connection to the Deeside Community Hospital, and the local area.. Lord Barry began his career as a labourer in Shotton Steelworks, and later in his life became a teacher. His p...
Kathleen Fox MBE, The League of Friends of the Deeside Community HospitalHer family, the community, and faith were hallmarks of Kath's life, and core to everything she did. As the eldest of six children caring was a natural part of every day life. It came as no surprise that nursing was her chosen career. Eventually...
Patricia Daniels MBE, Chester Childbirth AppealFollowing a career which began in 1946 in nursing, and retiring as a Tutor Midwife, Pat looked for ways of supporting her beloved NHS. Following discussions with the hospital, and with the support of others she founded Chester Childbirth in 1991....
James Hodgson, The League of Friends of the Royal Shrewsbury HospitalJames Hodgson has been involved with the League of Friends of the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital for nearly 50 years, serving as treasurer from 1975-1987. Over the years, the organisation expanded, opening multiple outlets and raising significant funds, c...
David Wood, Friends of One Tower Bridge RoadDavid Wood OBE, 58, is the Chief Executive of Attend and the Chairman of the Friends of One Tower Bridge Road, among various other career roles. His journey into volunteering began at a young age, with a family background in community service, and la...
Jane Ward (Richard Reoch), Friends of Attend ABIJane Ward’s life was devoted to improving the wellbeing of those around her. In her 75 years, Jane’s careers ranged drastically: from a professional nurse, global human rights researcher and secretary, and an exercise instructor. She developed th...
June Whitaker, Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, League of FriendsBeing part of the local community, supporting charities that help people who live round and about are all part of the values that June has lived her life by. For over 50 years, June has been involved in the League of Friends (and many othe...
Marigold Cleveley, Friends of The Royal London Hospital for Integrated MedicinePersonal convictions, and those of her friends, meant that Marigold first found herself volunteering nearly 50 years to support Homeopathic medicine, and those in the community wanting to access such services. Throwing herself into the commu...
Jean Howard, Friends of Cedar House Jean has volunteered for over 50 years. The organisations she has got involved with have mirrored the life-cycle of her family life, be it her children’s school or her mother’s care home. Her consistent ambition has been to add value to the l...