Friends Voices

Stories of volunteers supporting the health service since 1949

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14 results

Stephen and Pauline Redman, Friends of Amarna House

Steve is a Christian minister in the City of York, and his wife, Pauline, is a secondary school teacher. Steve is the Chairman of the Friends of Amarna House, and the cancer charity Candlelighters, and they have both been involved in the community fo...

Story: Stephen and Pauline Redman - York

Richard Miller, Friends of Horse Fair

Born in South Wales, Richard moved to the south of England at a young age and then spent 20 years in and around the south, firstly in Sidcup and then in Lewes, East Sussex. He met his wife in 1984 while she was doing her nurse training, and after acc...

Story: Richard Miller - Rugeley, Staffordshire

Robert Fox (Kath Fox), The League of Friends of Deeside Community Hospital

Following 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...

Story: - Deeside

Megan Jolly, The League of Friends of the Deeside Community Hospital

From an early age Megan helped others and this led to a life long career in nursing. Alongside this she began helping with the League of Friends, an involvement that spans over 50 years....

Story: Megan Jolly - Deeside

Cathy Milne, Friends of Avery Place

Cathy started volunteering in care homes as an extension of her involvement in the Nuthall Methodist Church as a way to make Acer Court and Alder House feel more part of the community. She started with one-on-one visits, first with Dorothy, a residen...

Story: - Nottingham

Denise Juggler, Friends of King George Hospital

To 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...

Story: Denise Juggler - Essex, Goodmayes

Steve Taylor, Friends of One Tower Bridge Road

Working for the London City Mission brought Steve to London, and working in the local community in Camberwell. Initially responding to an enquiry for a link with a care home at 54 Camberwell Green, he later became involved at One Tower Bridge Road.As...

Story: Steve Taylor - London

This story is about:

  1. Care homes
  2. Community
  3. Faith

Ruth Joyce, Friends of King George Hospital

Ruth'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...

Story: Ruth Joyce - Essex, Goodmayes

Gerry Frobisher, Prestatyn Central Surgery Community League of Friends

Involvement in the local church by his mother, meant volunteering was always part of Gerry's life. Even during his time in the Police Force, he got caught up in volunteeringHis community profile meant the League of Friends soon recruited him, and ...

Story: Gerry Frobisher - Prestatyn

Robert Hackett, Friends of Oaklands

A member of the local church, Bob was drawn to the volunteering to support a friend living with dementia. If Bob can help, he does, be it offering communion, helping with activities, keeping the garden tidy, or encouraging friends and family to join ...

Story: Robert Hackett -

Kathleen Fox MBE, The League of Friends of the Deeside Community Hospital

Her 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...

Story: Kathleen Fox MBE - Deeside

Elaine Leek, The League of Friends, The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital

At the back of her Church, Elaine discovered an advert for more volunteers at the local hospital.  Her roles have developed and changed. Her smile and enthusiasm is infectious as she talks about the satisfaction she gets from the small tasks ...

Story: Elaine Leek - Oswestry, Shropshire

20240511 114334Nicolette Coleman, Avenue Child Contact Centre

Over twenty years after getting involved, Nicolette still enjoys every moment of her volunteering.   It’s not that it’s easy, or fun, it’s worthwhile. It makes a difference to the lives of the children and families that the service support...

Story: Nicolette Coleman - Essex, Westcliff-On-Sea

Mary McNulty, Friends of Barnes Hospital

Mary is the longest standing member of the League of Friends for Barnes Hospital, after being the Secretary for more than 20 years. She joined after retiring early from teaching social policy and was looking for something to fit her skills, within a ...

Story: Mary McNulty - London