The excellent service given to the Trust by our team of volunteers is recognised in different ways: 

Firstly at our Annual Party to which all our volunteers and their guests are invited.  This is the occasion when the Trust formally thanks our volunteers for their invaluable support and it`s also an opportunity for our volunteers to meet up socially.  We hold the event in a local Community Centre and music is provided by RWSfm (Community Radio).

Long Service Awards are presented at our annual Volunteers Party and Awards Ceremony, to those volunteers who have completed 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and more years of service.  The Award consists of a pin badge together with a congratulatory card from our Chairman.  These pin badges are highly sought after!

 

Dr Damian Kershaw Award

This award was established in 2003 and inspired by the late Dr Damian Kershaw, whose first step toward his chosen career in medicine was as a West Suffolk Hospital volunteer. 

The award is presented annually to a volunteer between the ages 16-19 years and who has completed at least 6 months voluntary work and who during the course of their volunteering have displayed special qualities, enthusiasm or commitment. The Award comprises £100 in book tokens and a framed Certificate of Achievement. The inclination of the award is towards our student programme volunteers who are considering a career in medicine and it`s sponsored by Mrs Jackie Kershaw (pictured with James Taylor Winner of the Award 2011) and the Friends of West Suffolk Hospital. Look out for the Honours Board in our main reception recording all past recipients of this Award.

Shining Lights

This is an initiative whereby Trust staff nominate staff colleagues or volunteers for recognition as a Shining Light and are given at the Trust’s annual Award Ceremony. Shining Lights may be awarded on an idividual basis or as a team effort and the categories for nominations reflect the Trust’s values – and of course we think all our volunteers are shining lights!