Hundreds of hospital volunteers thanked by NHS staff

Student Clio Hall describes her volunteering as “the most rewarding experience" of her life

Volunteers at two North Yorkshire hospitals have been thanked for their work by NHS staff as part of the 40th anniversary of National Volunteers' Week.

During the week, NHS staff at York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust will applaud over 200 volunteers for their efforts.

National Volunteers’ Week, which takes place from Monday 3 June until Sunday 9 June, marks 40 years since the volunteering week was launched nationally.

Dawn Parkes, interim chief nurse at the trust, said: “I want to say a massive thank you to all those involved with our volunteering services."

More than 200 volunteers work at the York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Volunteers work throughout the York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

They volunteer in many different departments from outpatients to the eye clinic, and from the emergency department to the chaplaincy.

Diane Benson, volunteer services manager at the trust, said: “Volunteers’ Week is an important opportunity to shine a light on our incredible volunteers who support our patients, staff and visitors across the trust."

"They give their time freely as a gift and bring a range of experience and commitment to their roles," she added.

"They are very much a part of our team and make a significant difference in our hospitals. Their kindness, care and compassion does not go unnoticed."

Ms Benson estimated that volunteers put in a total of 45,000 hours for the trust last year.

Graham Walker is a volunteer at York Hospital’s emergency department and finds the work rewarding

Graham Walker, a volunteer at York Hospital’s emergency department, said: “Volunteering is an amazing experience to learn new skills, gain new experiences and to be able to help people in a real world, with real issues, in a positive way.

"I have found the work to be extremely rewarding and it is probably the best thing I've done in 30 years."

Another volunteer, Debbie, brings her therapy dog, Bailey, to the hospitals to visit patients on the dementia ward and the stroke rehabilitation unit.

She said Bailey's role was vital: "When Bailey goes around the ward, she brightens the patients' day. You can see them really cheer up when she comes in.

"Bailey is very intelligent and she was wasted not doing anything."

Meanwhile, student Clio Hall said: “I have made incredible relationships with both staff and patients, and I am equally as grateful for them as they say they are for me.”

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