Stories of volunteers supporting the health service since 1949
18 results
Anne moved to Basildon after her marriage, and began working at Basildon Hospital as a Ward Clerk, a job she loved, and stayed in for 14 years. She retired at 60 due to health issues, and having been staff for many years, knew about the Friends throu...
Michael Greenhow, Basildon Hospital and Community League of FriendsMichaels career began in electrical retail, where he managed shops for many years. Unfortunately his wife suffered a serious stroke and he became her carer for several years. It was after his wife passed away that Michael felt the need to give someth...
Bridget Foley, AttendBridget started volunteering very early on when she accompanied her Mum to Church, where they arranged flowers, handed out hymn books and mended curtains. As she got older she took on these and other tasks within the church and continued throughout h...
Emily Vincent, Enfield Stroke FriendsInitially volunteering as a way to broaden her experience with stroke survivors, Emily soon realised it was cementing her sense of being part of the community in Enfield. Using her experience in both nutrition, and speech and language therapy, Emily ...
Sally Davies, The League of Friends of the Shrewsbury and Telford HospitalSally started volunteering at the League of Friends around 25 years ago, after 10 years of volunteering with adults who wanted to improve their literacy skills. When she started, she was mainly volunteering with the fundraising committee of the hospi...
Myra Gonzalez, Enfield Stroke FriendsBefore her stroke, Myra had a very successful career as a creative, and in the fashion industry. Despite the challenges of her stroke, Myra brings that determination and creativity to her time at Enfield Stroke Friends. She uses her skills, to help r...
Leneva Hall, Enfield Stroke FriendsLeneva's story is of determination to make the best of her new life after her stroke. She has thrown herself enthusiastically into the Enfield Stroke Cafe, where she takes an active interest in the life and recovery progress of her fellow attendees....
Jean Ranson, The League of Friends of the Deeside Community HospitalCaring and volunteering were all part of Jean's life from a young age. This both supported and led to a life long career as a nurse. Volunteering for the League of Friends was another part of hospital and community life that Jean helped with whene...
Denise Juggler, Friends of King George HospitalTo Denise, being part of things and contributing are part of her DNA. Be it the home-made cakes carefully prepared before we arrived, or her recounting of involvement at the Synagogue, she has clearly thrown her energies into helping the community in...
Edna Ellis, The League of Friends of the Denbighshire InfirmaryDenbigh is where Edna belongs. A farmers daughter, and then running her own farm, a life that had time to support the local community were hallmarks of her story. It was clearly expected, and at the same time never resented, that she got involved ...
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...
Irene Ireland, The League of Friends of the Deeside Community HospitalWhen her father died at the local hospital, Irene wanted to give back and the family donated funds for a piece of equipment. This led to her becoming actively involved in the League of Friends, which continues to this day.She happily moved from su...
Ruth Joyce, Friends of King George HospitalRuth's faith is an important part of her life, and it has led to a lifetime of volunteering in her community. On retirement, this began to include volunteering in the local hospital, particularly in the shop.Ruth's skills were recognised, and she bec...
Faith Humphries, League of Hospital Friends Mansfield & SuttonAs a patient in the local hospital, Faith decided to give back by helping out with the Friends. Her sense of humour, and natural ability to get along with people meant she was soon involved in lots of people facing roles. Her interest and e...
June Whitaker, The League of Friends of the Shrewsbury and Telford HospitalBeing 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...
Lorna Citron, Friends of UCLHStarting work at UCH in 1945, and being continuously involved with the hospital since then, Lorna clearly has a deep-rooted love of the hospital and the community it serves. Her administrative skills were seized upon to support the developing ro...
Connie Foster (Sue Boram) After a lifetime of living in, and service to the community, almost by accident Connie found herself volunteering for the League of Friends in the local hospital. She threw herself with enthusiasm into every aspect of the life of the friends group, a...
Jan O’Neill, Guild Of St BartholomewJan volunteered initially alongside a successful career in journalism. She has bought her professional skills in to her volunteering, and now produces the newsletter. However, she was drawn to volunteering because she was interested in support...