Stories of volunteers supporting the health service since 1949
68 results
Cathy Milne, Friends of Avery PlaceCathy started volunteering in care homes as an extension of her involvement in the Nuthall Methodist Church as a way to make Acer Court and Alder House feel more part of the community. She started with one-on-one visits, first with Dorothy, a residen...
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...
Josephine (Jo) Geary, Business Opportunities for the Physically Handicapped (BOPH)Founder of BOPH with Joan Lythgoe, MBE, Jo was first involved with people with disabilities when her daughter was born paralysed from the waist down and, when pushed by Joan, she joined her in starting a charity that would be a free workshop for phys...
Karen Bowers, Business Opportunities for the Physically Handicapped (BOPH)After being involved with special needs people all her life, Karen ended up being noticed by Joan and working full-time at BOPH. Working there doesn’t feel like work for her but more like coming to her extended family, where she is able to create s...
Brogan was motivated to volunteer after accompanying her Mum who worked with people with special needs, Brogan started volunteering at only 16 as a one-to-one support for one client who went on to attend BOPH and which led to her working at BOPH fu...
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...
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 ...
Friends of LarchwoodFriends of Larchwood aim to relieve the social isolation of the elderly in Larchwood by providing equipment, facilities, activities and services over and above those provided for the residents, particularly with a view to helping residents of the car...
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 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...
Steve Taylor, Friends of One Tower Bridge RoadWorking for the London City Mission brought Steve to London, and working in the local community in Camberwell. Initially responding to an enquiry for a link with a care home at 54 Camberwell Green, he later became involved at One Tower Bridge Road.As...
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...
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...
Ariane was looking for opportunities to develop her experience and gain a counselling qualification.What she describes is finding so much more than that. It has proved to be a place that is both fulfilling, and mutually supportive....
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, The 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...
Ann Davies MBE, Prestatyn Central Surgery Community League of FriendsAnn Davies first began fundraising for the League of Friends before the formation of the NHS. She has given her time generously throughout her life to a variety of organisation including the Church, and local hospitals wherever she has lived. Sh...
Sue Francis, Ellesmere Community Care Centre League of FriendsSue Francis, an 81 year old volunteer, discusses her involvement with the Ellesmere League of Friends, which began after the loss of her husband in 2002. Initially supporting a nursing home, the group transitioned into running a successful charity sh...