Stories of volunteers supporting the health service since 1949
56 results
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...
Namrata Walia, Aphasia Re-ConnectNamrata 'Nami' Walia originally began her career as an accountant for the NHS.In this interview, Nami shares how the pivot to volunteering and working within a charity has given her great satisfaction and new knowledge about different health cond...
Arthur Phillips, League of Friends of Glangwili HospitalArthur Phillips became a member of the League of Friends of Glangwili Hospital in Wales almost by accident, when he found his Treasurer role with the group came as part of his new role as deacon in the local chapel in Carmarthen.Volunteering hadn’t...
Jenny Davies, The League of Friends of the Shrewsbury and Telford HospitalLiving locally and receiving superb treatment at the Hospital, Jenny felt that volunteering with the League was a good way of saying thank you for the care she received. She serves drinks and snacks to customers in the café, 3 days a week, a role...
Glenys Jones, The Llanelli & District League of Hospital FriendsGlenys Jones shares her journey with the Prince Philip Hospital’s League of Friends in Llanelli. Inspired by her late friend Jean Evans, she began volunteering around 2002-2003, after retiring from teaching. Glenys started participating in committe...
Yvonne Frost and Carol Watson, St. Oswald’s Hospital League of FriendsRetired 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...
Megan Jolly, The League of Friends of the Deeside Community HospitalFrom 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....
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...
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...
The League of Friends of Bridgnorth Community HospitalThe League of Friends of Bridgnorth Community Hospital is a charitable organisation, run solely by volunteers, which raises funds to support the care and wellbeing of patients, former patients, their relatives, carers and staff who are in or attendin...
Friends of York HospitalsThe Friends of York Hospitals works closely with the York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. They volunteer in the hospital to help improve the quality of life of patients. They work to support York Hospital and two small ...
Ken Rees, The Llanelli & District League of Hospital FriendsKen's story is a life embedded in South Wales. It's about being totally immersed in the local community from a young age. From playing rugby with Llanelli Scarletts, to raising money for equipment at the local hospital, to being Mayor....
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...
Professor Keir Lewis, Amman Valley Hospital League of FriendsWhile aware of the Leagues of Friends throughout his career in medicine, it wasn't until a neighbour asked him to become a Trustee, that Keir found himself actively involved in the League of Friends.Describing the passion and enthusiasm the volunteer...
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 ...
Marion Faunch, The Burton Hospitals League of FriendsMarion is very grateful for the help she has had over the years from a variety of hospitals across the country. On retirement, she saw this as her opportunity to 'give back', to say thank you to the NHS for everything it had done for her.Volunteer...
Peter Cook & Julie Cook, Aphasia Re-ConnectPeter 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...
Nichole Wheaton, Enfield Stroke FriendsWith her whole career supporting the community, Nichole also volunteers in many different settings.Setting up a community group to support survivors of stroke in Enfield is one of her most recent initiatives. In bringing a wealth of knowledge, in s...
Marie Pearson, Friends of OaklandsHaving worked in the care home for many years, Marie wanted to continue her association with the place, and the residents through volunteering. She is a regular at the Friends coffee mornings for residents, where her natural affinity with them and th...