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West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust celebrates 400 years of service by volunteers
This week, West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (WSFT) celebrated 400 years of service by volunteers at their annual volunteers’ awards tea party.
Over 25 volunteers were given long-service awards, with three of them recognised for 25 years’ service each and one for an incredible 35 years of service at the Trust.
The tea party, held at the Moreton Hall Community Centre in Bury St Edmunds, was attended by over 100 volunteers, who were all served tea and cakes by executive directors of the Trust.
Jude Chin, chair of West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, who handed out the long-service awards said:
“The tea party and awards recognise the immense contribution our volunteers make across our Trust. They are an integral part of the organisation. Therefore, it was wonderful to be able to recognise the long service awards which amounted to a combined four centuries of service, and it was a privilege to serve tea and cakes to all our wonderful volunteers. I thank each one of them for their dedication and commitment to our NHS.”
Valerie Dutton, voluntary services manager at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, who was herself celebrating 46 years of working in the NHS, commented:
“Our volunteers are utterly amazing. They mean everything to the Trust, bringing incredible experience and giving their knowledge and time free of charge to support our staff and patients.
“They provide vital support to our local NHS in more than 40 different roles – from assisting patients to gardening and from working on the information desk, to helping new parents.
“I and my wonderful team are so incredibly proud of everything they do for the Trust.
One of the award winners, Marguerite Burgess, who was given an award for 25 years’ service said:
“I’ve been volunteering at the West Suffolk Hospital on the information desk for 25 years. I started after I had been in the hospital and wanted to say thank you for the care I had received. I’ve had great fun over the years – meeting some wonderful people. There’s never a dull moment and I hope to carry on for a long time.”
West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust welcomes volunteers from all walks of life. For anyone interested in volunteering at the Trust, please visit our website at www.wsh.nhs.uk and click on the “Join our Team” link or telephone 01284 713000 and ask to speak to voluntary services.
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