Stories of volunteers supporting the health service since 1949
28 results
Simon Jenkins, League of Friends of Glangwili HospitalWhen Simon's mother passed away, he decided he would carry on with her involvement with the League of Friends by becoming a volunteer himself. After a long career as a firefighter, he already had knowledge of community services, and involvement, whic...
Sally 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...
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...
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...
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....
Denbigh 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 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...
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...
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...
Lord Barry Jones, The League of Friends of the Deeside Community HospitalLord Barry Jones, an 88 year-old resident of Flintshire, reflects on his connection to the Deeside Community Hospital, and the local area.. Lord Barry began his career as a labourer in Shotton Steelworks, and later in his life became a teacher. His p...
Joan Key, Friends of King George HospitalOn 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 ...
Pauline Spratt, Burton Hospital League of FriendsPauline Spratt reflects on her 40-year commitment to volunteering with Burton Hospital League of Friends. Inspired by a lifelong interest in nursing, Pauline joined the League in her late 30s, organising community fundraising events such as fun runs,...
Dorothy Schofield and Gaynor Hughes, The League of Friends, The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic HospitalDorothy and Gaynor are clearly a 'force of nature' in their community. Friends since the 1980's, they have constantly focused on fundraising in Welshpool. Through Fetes, Flag Days, Cocktail Parties, Coffee Mornings, they have worked, and rai...
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...
Elaine Tinsley, The League of Friends, The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic HospitalAn early career in the hospital meant Elaine always felt an affinity to it. On retirement she began volunteering, which turned in to a new career in the finance office. Elaine describes the League of Friends as feeling like a 'family', with the hu...
Beryl Angel, The League of Friends, The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic HospitalOn retirement from the NHS, the next logical step for Beryl was to begin volunteering for the Friends. The Flower Guild, arranging flowers in the Chapel, was a good starting point, but Covid brought this opportunity to an end. Today Beryl regularl...
Jayne Mott , The League of Friends of the Royal Shrewsbury HospitalJayne Mott shares her long-standing involvement with the League of Friends at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, starting in the mid-nineties. She describes how she was initially encouraged to join by friends, and later held several leadership positions, inc...
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...