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Friends Voices

Stories of volunteers supporting the health service since 1949

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15 results

Sarah Jenkins, League of Friends of Glangwili Hospital

After numerous volunteering experiences, including with a youth organisation Sarah took on the role of Chair of the League of Friends at Glangwili Hospital. As Chair, her role involves a wide range of tasks: maintaining order during meetings, orga...

Story: Sarah Jenkins - Carmarthen, Wales

Yvonne Frost and Carol Watson, St. Oswald’s Hospital League of Friends

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...

Story: Carol Watson, Yvonne Frost - Ashbourne, Derbyshire

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

Myra Gonzalez, Enfield Stroke Friends

Before 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...

Story: Myra Gonzalez - Enfield London

Leneva Hall, Enfield Stroke Friends

Leneva'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....

Story: Leneva Hall - Enfield London

Don and Louise Wyman, Friends of King George Hospital

Volunteering 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 ...

Story: Don and Louise Wyman - Essex, Goodmayes

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

Jennifer Hughes, League of Friends of Prince Philip Hospital 

Jennifer describes a lifetime of living, working, and volunteering for her local community. An invite to a strawberry tea got her involved initially in the League of Friends, she has taken responsibility as a committee member, Chair and Secretary,...

Story: Jennifer Hughes - Llanelli

Joan Key, Friends of King George Hospital

On retirement, Joan was looking for something to keep her active, and as her family had benefited from the local hospital, this was where she began.Regular shifts in the Friends shop gave a welcome structure. Some forty years later, friendships made ...

Story: Joan Key - Essex, Goodmayes

Zenaide Dlamini, Friends of Newcross Care Home 

Studying in sixth form meant that Zenaide had to get involved in volunteering. It clearly has become more to her, as she lights up talking about her developing friendships with residents.Unexpectedly it turned into paid work, and Zenaide shares he...

Story: Zenaide Dlamini - West Midlands, Wolverhampton

Marigold Cleveley, Friends of The Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine

Personal 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...

Story: Marigold Cleveley - Central London

Shenna Cummins, Friends of St Mary’s Hospital

Shenna decided to volunteer when she had some spare time because she wasn’t working.  Her warmth, and people skills meant her natural contribution was focussed towards fundraising. This, she not only enjoyed but is very good at. Unexpectedly, v...

Story: Shenna Cummins - Central London, Paddington

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...

Story: Connie Foster, Sue Boram - Barking, East London

Clare Johnstone, Friends of Chelsea and Westminster

While on a visit to the Chelsea & Westminster hospital for an outpatient appointment,  on the stairs, Clare was suddenly struck with the thought “why don’t I do something for this wonderful hospital”.Over 10 years later she is regularly vo...

Story: Clare Johnstone - Central London

This story is about:

  1. Community
  2. Friendship
  3. Fun
  4. Table Sales