Stories of volunteers supporting the health service since 1949
150 results
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...
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...
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...
Gifty Coleman, Ealing Hospital League of FriendsA change in career, and job search for something nearer home brought Gifty into contact with the League of Friends. Almost unexpectedly this has been a very rewarding part of her life, where she can practically express her faith, through caring for, ...
Lorna Citron, Friends of UCLHStarting 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...
Carl Kirby Turner, Friends of Cathja Over 20 years ago, Carl’s involvement started when he was trying to sell a boat to the founder. Getting involved then through volunteering has now become something which was an important part of his life. He describes the project as a com...
Gillian Vaughan Hudson MBBS FRCP, League of Friends of Middlesex Hospital & Friends of University College London Hospital (UCLH)Following a full career in the NHS in central London, as retirement approaches, the League of Friends at the Middlesex sought Gillian out. Her role required great diplomacy as it involved the creation of the new shadow board for the Friends merging w...
Anita Carrasco, Friends of St Mary’sAnita first began volunteering when she was at school. Conversations with her support worker on ways to reduce her loneliness bought her to volunteering at St Marys. It has proved to be a place of true friendship, where Anita has got involved in eve...
Ann Cousins, Ealing Hospital League of FriendsHaving had a successful career in banking, Ann almost stumbled into a role in the League of Friends. Here she has found new purpose, and real challenges as she has determinedly maintained and progressed the contribution of a traditional Friends ...
Maggie Linford, Friends of St Mary’sMaggie had a life of supporting people through her careers as a social worker and an occupational therapist. Once retired, she continued to make a difference in her community through volunteering. When she joined the Friends of St Mary’...
Cynthia Burton, Friends of The Royal London Hospital for Integrated MedicineReturning 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...
Sue Rivers, Friends of St Mary’sAs the wife of a hospital consultant, Sue almost had no choice but to get involved with the Friends. Becoming Chairman near the turn of the decade, she has thoroughly involved herself in all aspects from fundraising to helping out in the café. She ...
Patricia Evans, Friends of St MarksAfter a long and successful career in the NHS, following retirement, Trish decided it was time to give something back. Initially starting her career as volunteer in the gardens, she now finds herself Chairman of the Friends Group. It is a t...
Shenna Cummins, Friends of St Mary’s HospitalShenna 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...
Udo Bauer, Friends of St Mary’sFor over 25 years, Udo has been based at the German YMCA, and creating links with the local community, including the Friends of St Mary’s. Volunteers have been involved in all sorts of activities including the café and shop. ...
Beryl Carr, Ealing Hospital League of FriendsFollowing the death of her husband, and a move away from their retirement home, Beryl found herself isolated. At 80, her daughter helped her join up as a volunteer at the local hospital, where over 20 years she has found real friendships....
Following a full and rewarding career in probation work, Lynn found herself at retirement age, but she wasn’t ready to stop, and still felt she had something to offer. Having used the Friends Cafe while visiting the hospital, she asked if there wer...
Bereaved and unemployed, with Covid raging around, Louise was looking for somewhere to get a foothold back on the ladder. Ealing Hospital League of Friends were welcoming, and encouraging. Using existing skills as a ‘subject matter expert’ she ha...
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...
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...