Celebrating our long serving volunteers
Wiltshire Health and Care’s Long Service Awards event has taken place to recognise the hard work and commitment our volunteers have given to our Community Health Services across the county.
A group of 17 long serving volunteers gathered at the Grapevine Restaurant at Chippenham Community Hospital to receive framed certificates and engraved mementos presented by Wiltshire Health and Care Managing Director, Douglas Blair.
John Williams has volunteered at Trowbridge Hospital for 15 Years and was presented with an engraved paperweight. He said “As a retired driving instructor I needed to do some volunteering to fill in my time and I felt I wanted to give something back. One personal benefit has been discovering that I have Type 2 diabetes which I wouldn’t have known until probably too late! Also the people I work with are fun, and as I do administration there is a sense of satisfaction in getting done what has been put aside for me to carry out each time I go in. It gives me a good sense of achievement and it has freed up NHS staff time to focus on other tasks.”
We have 194 volunteers in Wiltshire. Their roles include assisting ward patients at mealtimes; patient befriending on wards, sitting with ‘end of life’ patients, escorting inpatients to acute hospital appointments, administration and hospital gardening.
Voluntary Services Coordinator Suzanne Bennett, said: “I am always amazed by the kindness and commitment of volunteers who selflessly dedicate their free time for the benefit of our patients and staff. Offering a few hours a week can contribute to the wellbeing of our patients; ensure they are supported and that their stay in our community hospitals is comfortable.”
A volunteer’s experience with Wiltshire Health and Care is a happy, productive and mutually beneficial partnership. If you know someone interested in joining our team please contact Suzanne on 01985 220779.