Stories of volunteers supporting the health service since 1949
204 results
Ealing Hospital League of FriendsThe original Ealing Hospital first opened in 1871, it was called the Ealing Cottage Hospital, and was located at Milton Lodge in Ealing Dene. It was enlarged in 1873, and again in 1886, it had 16 patient beds. In 1911 it was replaced by a new hospita...
Jean Howard, Friends of Cedar House Jean has volunteered for over 50 years. The organisations she has got involved with have mirrored the life-cycle of her family life, be it her children’s school or her mother’s care home. Her consistent ambition has been to add value to the l...
League of Friends of Middlesex HospitalThe League of Friends of Middlesex Hospital, like the hospital itself, have now disappeared. But the work of the countless volunteers, spanning almost a century, should not be forgotten. The Friends provided services to hospitals that you don’t see...
Friends of St Mark’s HospitalThe Friends of St Marks is a group of volunteers who support the work of the hospital in myriad ways. The group began its life as the Samaritan’s Society in 1868, and its remit was 'for the alleviation of some of the many distresses among the patie...
The Guild of the Royal Hospital of St BartholomewThe Guild of St Bartholomew’s is a group of volunteers established to ‘help the Hospital by personal service and by the provision of such amenities for the patients, staff, and students that would not be available for them under the NHS.’ While...
Friends of Barking HospitalThe Friends of Barking Hospital has been a vital part of the hospital for nearly 60 years. During that time, volunteers have fundraised in all sorts of ways from tabletop sales in the entrance of the hospital to organising a hospital fete, bringing...
Kathy Sheldon, Friends of Barnes Hospital: Part 2The interview continues with Kathy talking about the many ways she is embedded in the Barnes community, her networks, and the way her passions extend to all things "Barnes". Her volunteering is clearly about who she is, not what she does. She brin...
Kathy Sheldon, Friends of Barnes Hospital: Part 1A career at Barnes Hospital meant joining the Friends committee seemed like the next logical step for Kathy. Her heart is clearly for the people of the local community where her tireless enthusiasm means she is constantly innovating new ways t...
Irene Thompson, Friends of Barking HospitalIrene first began volunteering at Barking Hospital in 1964, and since then it has been part of the everyday life for her and her family. Irene’s biggest contribution was as the organiser of the hospital fete, which was well known in the Barking c...
Helen Shorter, Friends of St MarksWhen recently retired, Helen was doing a neighbours garden when a friend asked her to volunteer with the Friends. That was over 20 years ago, during which time supporting the NHS has become a significant part of Helen’s life. Helen is justifiably ...
Richard Rooney, Friends of Chelsea and WestminsterRichard was looking for a change in his life. Having retired from an all-consuming and demanding career, he wanted to do something that not only made a difference to his life but made a difference to others too. At the Chelsea and Westminster,...
Pat Moreno, Friends Of St MarksPat began hospital volunteering once she had retired from work. Initially it was at Stanmore with the friends group there and now it is at St Marks. Her main contribution has been in the tea bar, where she also runs a trolley service up to the t...
Clare Johnstone, Friends of Chelsea and WestminsterWhile 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...
Eric Feasey, Friends of Barking HospitalEric has been involved with the Friends of Barking Hospital for a decade. Describing himself as a bit of a “Del boy” he initially began by helping supply stock for the Friends table sales, with up to 10 trestle tables, that took place every wee...
Ian McDowell, Guild Of St BartholomewHospital chaplaincy, as a local vicar, first brought Ian into the world of hospital volunteering. This interest developed, including becoming a hospital voluntary services manager and became involved in a policy group in Whitehall. Initially involve...
Ann Wickham, Guild of St BartholomewWhen Ann’s husband became a doctor at Barts, it was part of the natural order that she become a member of the Guild. This was in the mid 1960’s and she has been involved constantly since then. While currently the President, over the years Ann ha...
Jan O’Neill, Guild Of St BartholomewJan volunteered initially alongside a successful career in journalism. She has bought her professional skills in to her volunteering, and now produces the newsletter. However, she was drawn to volunteering because she was interested in support...
Gordon Dempster, Friends of Chelsea and WestminsterLiving in Chelsea all his life, Gordon began volunteering after he had retired. His family had strong connections with the hospital, which they originally knew as St Stephen’s.He is a regular volunteer on a trolley that goes round 17 wards. ...
Fiona Aird, League of Friends of Middlesex HospitalLady Aird first began volunteering at the Middlesex Hospital when she came to London nearly 70 years ago. She initially joined as it was a hospital where a number of her family were involved. She began volunteering in the flower shop in the reception...
The Friends of Chelsea & Westminster HospitalThe Friends of Chelsea and Westminster Hospital is a voluntary organisation and registered charity founded in 1993 which supports the work of the hospital for the benefit of patients, their families and staff. The Friends works closely with the hospi...