Volunteers' Week 2017
Volunteers' Week 2017
01 June 2017
From 2016-2017, 224 hardworking people kindly gave their time to volunteer at the Trust, from entertaining patients, accommodating visitors and making sure events run smoothly.
Sam Morris, Head of Volunteering at the charity, said: “Our volunteers give so much to support our hospitals, helping to make life for people in our care just that little bit nicer.”
“Whilst we try to say thank you to our volunteers as often as we can, I always look forward to celebrating Volunteers' Week as we join with thousands of other charities to recognise the millions of incredible volunteers up and down the UK. I am so proud of the volunteers we have supporting Imperial hospitals - they really do make the difference."
Since July 2016 the charity has managed volunteers at all five Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust hospitals to improve the experiences and outcomes for patients. We’ve received tremendous feedback from staff, patients and volunteers alike and will work hard to make sure this continues.
Our volunteers come from all walks of life and volunteer for a variety of reasons. Richard Anderson works as a town planner for a large architectural firm but on the weekend, he spends his time on the neurological rehabilitation unit at Charing Cross Hospital as part of a team who keep patients entertained through various activities, playing a crucial part in their recovery.
Richard decided to get involved with the charity after spending 3 months in hospital with a brain injury. “I can empathise with them quite a lot because I was in a very similar situation,” he said.
“I can understand the frustration that some of the patients have on the ward when there isn’t the occupational therapy that would take place during the week or there perhaps aren’t even the visitation they have from friends, family, whoever else.”
“it’s very endearing when you go back and see patients that you saw two weeks ago and can sense a difference in their talkativeness or their willingness to interact within the group, that’s really satisfying.”
Volunteers don’t only help out in a medical capacity either. Patricia Walton has been volunteering in the Fleming Museum at St Mary’s Hospital, providing tours for visitors eager to learn more about Alexander Fleming’s discovery of the antibiotic penicillin. Patricia decided to volunteer with the charity after her husband sadly passed away.
“He had a very full life and I’m sure he wouldn’t want me sitting crying at home, he would want me to be doing something. My friend read the ad in the paper and I applied.
She says she feels fortunate to be able to help at the museum and believes the volunteers make a huge difference around the Trust’s hospitals.
“Long may it continue because they’re getting something out of it as well as giving.”
Volunteers at the Trust are regularly honoured through the Make a Difference award scheme, recognising hard work, dedication and achievements of those individuals that go out of their way to exceed expectations. A summer boat party will also be held next week for all volunteers to celebrate the difference they make throughout the Trust’s hospitals.
If you’d like to get involved or find out more, visit our volunteering page.
