Stories of volunteers supporting the health service since 1949
21 results
Nevil Williams, Radio BGMNevil is the epitome of a local lad. Born and having always lived locally, he supports the local community with all his heart. Helping wherever he can, he has followed in the footsteps of his stepfather, a local lay preacher, and joined the hospit...
Matthew Swan BEM, Friends of LarchwoodMatthew first got involved with Attend over twenty years ago, and also serves as the Treasurer for Friends of Larchwood. He was awarded a BEM in 2020 for his contributions to local charities.Matthew has worked in banking for over 41 years and has thr...
Joan Lythgoe MBE, Business Opportunities for the Physically Handicapped (BOPH)Born in London and brought up in Canvey Island, Joan worked as a supervisor for STC (Standard Telephone and Cable) before she co-created BOPH (Business Opportunities for the Physically Handicapped). Initially, she was able to travel to work locally, ...
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...
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 ...
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...
Patricia Daniels MBE, Chester Childbirth AppealFollowing a career which began in 1946 in nursing, and retiring as a Tutor Midwife, Pat looked for ways of supporting her beloved NHS. Following discussions with the hospital, and with the support of others she founded Chester Childbirth in 1991....
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...
Hilary Collins, Avenue Child Contact CentreCombining a career in nursing, and a personal faith, Hilary has been involved in the Child Contact Centre at Avenue Baptist Church since it began. Bringing a wealth of experience, Hilary is involved both in governance as a trustee, to hands on volun...
Nicolette Coleman, Avenue Child Contact CentreOver 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...
Julie Eady, Shared Space Her personal faith has shaped many of Julie’s choices in life. Initially working as the paid book-keeper, hearing about the volunteering community lured her into further involvement. Her enthusiasm for the other volunteers, for the sense of communi...
Rosie Durham, Friends of One Tower Bridge RoadRosie Durham has always had a passion for working with intergenerational charities. Rosie was drawn to working with older people, particularly those in care homes, and began by volunteering weekly, engaging residents through activities like manicures...
Mark Cheese, Friends of Attend ABIWhile Mark Cheese’s day job may be software test engineering, he has a passion for teaching law to those who need to know it the most. Over a decade ago, Mark began his volunteer work at FAABI, where he has since become an integral part of the comm...
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...
Jenny Chandler, Friends of Attend ABIJenny Chandler began her journey with Friends of Attend ABI by participating in the first sessions of ARNI (Action Rehabilitation from Neurological Injury) after surviving a brain injury. Soon after, Jenny became a consistent member of FAABI, regular...
Diana came to the Friends, following a period as Lead Governor at the hospital. Her vision is of local leadership for a hospital meeting local needs.Rather than be frozen into inactivity by Covid, it inspired the Friends to think about their contribu...
Ann Bowden, Friends of Cathja Ann’s career as a GP, and a doctor at the Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine, are practical expressions of her clear love of the local community, and her desire to help people both positively and creatively with their health issues. The...
Sian Gabari, Ealing Hospital League of FriendsInitially Sian was introduced to the Friends while at school, as a way of considering a career in the NHS. While following a different career path, Sian has continued to volunteer for the Friends throughout the remainder of school, university, and no...
Returning from time abroad, when getting involved in the community was a part of everyday life, Cynthia found herself with time on her hands. A lifelong supporter of homeopathy meant the League of Friends at the then “Royal London Homeopathic Hos...