Pictured: Our amazing volunteers Dorothy, Cath and Rosie
Events have been taking place this week to celebrate the extraordinary volunteers who work at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust (ELHT).
Volunteer’s Week (1-7 June) is an opportunity to highlight and thank those who freely give their time, energy and compassion to support patients, visitors and colleagues across ELHT.
Volunteers play a vital role at ELHT, with around 150 individuals supporting services in a wide range of roles. From meeting and greeting visitors, to working on wards, supporting chaplaincy and bereavement services, assisting in outpatient areas and contributing to Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital’s radio, their impact is felt across every part of the Trust.
Voluntary Services Manager at ELHT, Lynn Hackett said: “We’ve got so many ward volunteers and roles, it’s amazing.
“Over the past 12 months alone, our volunteers have contributed more than 14,000 hours of service, helping to enhance patient experience and provide invaluable support to our teams.
“Thank you to each and every one and also to all the teams who look after the volunteers.”
Volunteers’ Week provides an important opportunity for ELHT to recognise and thank its volunteers; whose kindness and dedication continue to make a meaningful difference every day.
People opt to volunteer for so many different reasons. Kath, who retired after working for the Trust for 43 years, volunteers weekly at Pendle Community Hospital and in the Trust’s charity ELHT&Me’s shop. She said: “It’s great being part of a team – you’ve got interaction with patients, staff and visitors and I’m just really proud to still be part of it.”
For Christine, volunteering is a way of giving back following the care her father received from the Trust. She said: “I started volunteering as a thank you for 20 years of cancer care for my dad. The support he got from Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital was amazing, so I just wanted to pay back and say thank you.”
Many volunteers remain with the Trust for years - even decades. Among them are individuals who have given more than 25 years of service and one remarkable volunteer aged 94 who continues to attend regularly, demonstrating the enduring commitment and passion within the volunteer community.
Deputy Chief Nurse at ELHT, Jane Pemberton added: “We couldn’t do what we do without our volunteers, so thank you.”