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A celebration of selfless volunteers
The generosity of more than 400 volunteers was celebrated at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust’s (WSFT) annual thank you event on Wednesday 13 June.
As a thank you for the impact the volunteers have on patient care, cream teas were served by the staff team, before the awards were presented.
Twenty-nine volunteers received long service awards from the executive director of workforce and communications Jan Bloomfield, clocking up 315 years of service between them. One volunteer, Grant Greetham, was thanked for giving an incredible 40 years of service to West Suffolk Hospital as a volunteer.
Finally, Rosie Gault, who has been volunteering on the Trust’s six-month volunteer Student Programme, received the Dr Damian Kershaw Award.
This award was founded in memory of a former Trust volunteer who went onto a successful career in medicine, but sadly died aged 28. Sponsored by the Friends of West Suffolk Hospital charity and Dr Kershaw’s mother, Jackie, the award celebrates the achievements of a young person who has shown outstanding dedication.
Jackie Kershaw, who was on the award panel, said: “Rosie has wanted to work in a medical environment for most of her life, considering a career as a doctor, a midwife, a nurse or even a vet! However, it was her student volunteer placement at West Suffolk Hospital that convinced her to apply for medical school.
“She is wonderfully enthusiastic and committed to her chosen path, as well as to volunteering, and is a great credit to the student programme which provides such amazing experiences and opportunities for those who join it.”
Ian Mckee, voluntary services manager at WSFT, said: “We are so lucky to have such wonderful volunteers who support our patients, visitors and staff year in year out. We like to celebrate their contribution every year near national volunteers’ week to show our appreciation.
“They collectively gave around 47,774 hours last year – a marvellous achievement and contribution! I am extremely proud to lead this team, the amazing people who give their valuable time to us, and of course I would be delighted to hear from anyone who would like to join them in supporting their local hospital.”
Volunteers fulfill a variety of roles at the hospital, including helping on the wards at mealtimes, spending time with patients who have dementia, raising funds for the hospital through the Friends’ Shop and welcoming patients and visitors at clinics and receptions. Specialist bleep volunteers collect and deliver medications to wards, while others help in areas across the hospital: operating theatres, the Eye Treatment Centre, and in the chaplaincy and gardens.
The Trust is also working in partnership with HelpForce, a community interest company helping to develop the roles of NHS volunteers, by working with partners to create community-based roles.
For more information about volunteering opportunities at the WSFT, visit www.wsh.nhs.uk or call the voluntary services team on 01284 713169 or email voluntary.services@wsh.nhs.uk
Rosie Gault (centre) receiving the Dr Damian Kershaw Award from Jackie Kershaw, left, and Angela Pearce, right, award sponsors
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