Stories of volunteers supporting the health service since 1949
31 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...
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 ...
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....
Pamela Morton OBE, Friends of York HospitalsAt an early age Pam began volunteering to help refugees, at the end of the Second World War. Those values were to stay with her, not only in her career as a teacher but also through the many different volunteering initiatives she enthusiastically emb...
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...
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...
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....
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 ...
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...
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...
Sheila Jackson, Burton Hospitals League of FriendsBurton Hospital has always been there serving the community Sheila lives in, also helping generations of her family. While working in finance, supporting her immediate, and wider family, Sheila helped out in the community wherever she could.On r...
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,...
Tina Fairclough, David Fairclough, Aintree Hospital League of FriendsThe 1980's, a neighbour's cocktail party, and the Fairclough's find themselves drawn into the local League of Friends, just to help out. As a Deputy Head Teacher, and an Accountant and Businessman, they are quickly drawn into everything, including...
Sheila Ashley and Ivor Ashley, The League of Friends, The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic HospitalIn the mid 1990’s it was the simple request of a friend that got Ivor and Sheila involved in volunteering for their local hospital. Some 30 years later, their sense of pride in the hospital and the community it serves shines through. Alongside c...
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...
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...
Valerie Semeria, Friends of Attend ABI Valerie Semeria, 30, is the Chair of Friends of Attend ABI. She grew up volunteering in her church and local homeless shelters, and eventually pursued the field as a career path after she moved to London in 2016. She then started volunteering with At...
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...