Friends Voices

Stories of volunteers supporting the health service since 1949

Search the collection

111 results

Elaine Tinsley, The League of Friends, The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital

An 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...

Story: Elaine Tinsley - Oswestry, Shropshire

Elaine Leek, The League of Friends, The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital

At the back of her Church, Elaine discovered an advert for more volunteers at the local hospital.  Her roles have developed and changed. Her smile and enthusiasm is infectious as she talks about the satisfaction she gets from the small tasks ...

Story: Elaine Leek - Oswestry, Shropshire

Gordon Williams, The League of Friends, The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital

Gordon was in the armed forces for twelve years, and you can tell the moment you meet him. It's something to do with the bearing, the approach. It's the same with all the volunteers on the Veterans unit. The pride they have in the service they are...

Story: Gordon Williams - Oswestry, Shropshire

Beryl Angel, The League of Friends, The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital

On 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...

Story: Beryl Angel - Oswestry, Shropshire

Faith Humphries, League of Hospital Friends Mansfield & Sutton

As a patient in the local hospital, Faith decided to give back by helping out with the Friends.   Her sense of humour, and natural ability to get along with people meant she was soon involved in lots of people facing roles.  Her interest and e...

Story: Faith Humphries - Nottinghamshire

Img 20240729 Wa0034Jayne Mott , The League of Friends of the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital

Jayne 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...

Story: Jayne Mott - Shrewsbury, Shropshire

Img 20240729 Wa0020James Hodgson, The League of Friends of the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital

James Hodgson has been involved with the League of Friends of the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital for nearly 50 years, serving as treasurer from 1975-1987. Over the years, the organisation expanded, opening multiple outlets and raising significant funds, c...

Story: James Hodgson - Shrewsbury, Shropshire

20240511 131230Antony Stephenson, Avenue Child Contact Centre

Antony helps people in the community who could do with an extra hand. In his description of his volunteering at Avenue Child Contact, you can hear his determination and passion to help children and their families maintain relationships.   ...

Story: Antony Stephenson - Essex, Westcliff-On-Sea

20240511 135552Hilary Collins, Avenue Child Contact Centre

Combining 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...

Story: Hilary Collins - Essex, Westcliff-On-Sea

20240511 114334Nicolette Coleman, Avenue Child Contact Centre

Over 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...

Story: Nicolette Coleman - Essex, Westcliff-On-Sea

Saara Copsey, Shared Space   

Looking for a supported volunteering opportunity, Saara feels she has found the perfect opportunity at Shared Space. She really enjoys learning new skills and spending time with people....

Story: Saara Copsey - Essex, Westcliff-On-Sea

This story is about:

  1. Ebay
  2. Supported volunteering

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...

Story: Julie Eady - Essex, Westcliff-On-Sea

Janet Obaid, Shared Space  

Janet is an asylum seeker who is trying hard to integrate into the local community. Having never volunteered before, she has discovered this as a rewarding way to get to know people, and contribute to her new home, for her and her family. ...

Story: Janet Obaid - Essex, Westcliff-On-Sea

Joel John (JoJo), Shared Space

Jojo is an asylum seeker who is trying hard to integrate into the local community. Having never volunteered before, he has discovered this as a rewarding way to get to know people, and contribute to his new home, for him and his family ...

Story: Joel John (JoJo) - Essex, Westcliff-On-Sea

Janessa Rhys-Jones, The Together Project (Songs & Smiles)

Janessa Rhys-Jones, 35, is a volunteer with the Songs & Smiles program of The Together Project at the One Tower Bridge Road Care Home, assisting with music sessions uniting older and younger generations.Initially attending as a participant with h...

Story: Janessa Rhys-Jones - London

Rosie Durham, Friends of One Tower Bridge Road

Rosie 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...

Story: Rosie Durham - London

Mark Cheese, Friends of Attend ABI

While 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...

Story: Mark Cheese - London

David Wood, Friends of One Tower Bridge Road

David 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...

Story: David Wood - London