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Friends Voices

Stories of volunteers supporting the health service since 1949

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56 results

Marigold Cleveley, Friends of The Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine

Personal convictions, and those of her friends, meant that Marigold first found herself volunteering nearly 50 years to support Homeopathic medicine, and those in the community wanting to access such services.     Throwing herself into the commu...

Story: Marigold Cleveley - Central London

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...

Story: Ann Bowden - West London

This story is about:

  1. Advocacy
  2. Fundraising

Rin Roach, Friends of Cathja 

Rin describes an organisation where people are accepted for who they are, and what they bring, a place where they are genuinely allowed to be.    It’s a place where people come and go, as it suits them, and as they need. It’s a community wh...

Story: Rin Roach - West London

This story is about:

  1. Bid-writer
  2. Fundraising

Lorna Citron, Friends of UCLH

Starting work at UCH in 1945, and being continuously involved with the hospital since then, Lorna clearly has a deep-rooted love of the hospital and the community it serves.  Her administrative skills were seized upon to support the developing ro...

Story: Lorna Citron - Central London

Cynthia Burton, Friends of The Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine

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...

Story: Cynthia Burton - Central London

Jennifer Loehnis, Elizabeth Garrett Anderson League of Friends

As a great grand-daughter of Elizabeth Garrett Anderson, it could have felt inevitable that Jenny Loehnis would find herself as Chairman of the League of Friends.  As it was, she did inherit the role from her Aunt and was pleased to continue the fa...

Story: Jennifer Loehnis - Central London

Shenna Cummins, Friends of St Mary’s Hospital

Shenna decided to volunteer when she had some spare time because she wasn’t working.  Her warmth, and people skills meant her natural contribution was focussed towards fundraising. This, she not only enjoyed but is very good at. Unexpectedly, v...

Story: Shenna Cummins - Central London, Paddington

Kathy Sheldon, Friends of Barnes Hospital: Part 2

The 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...

Story: Kathy Sheldon - South West London

Kathy Sheldon, Friends of Barnes Hospital: Part 1

A 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...

Story: Kathy Sheldon - South West London

Irene Thompson, Friends of Barking Hospital

Irene 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...

Story: Irene Thompson - Barking, East London

Ann Wickham, Guild of St Bartholomew

When 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...

Story: Ann Wickham - Central London

Jan O’Neill, Guild Of St Bartholomew

Jan 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...

Story: Jan O'Neill - Central London

Mary McNulty, Friends of Barnes Hospital

Mary is the longest standing member of the League of Friends for Barnes Hospital, after being the Secretary for more than 20 years. She joined after retiring early from teaching social policy and was looking for something to fit her skills, within a ...

Story: Mary McNulty - London