Volunteers who give their time and support to patients have been recognised with a presentation of an NHS Volunteers medal.
Our Trust has over 400 volunteers working in various roles to support the organisation, staff and patients. On Wednesday 2 June, chief executive Julie Gillon and volunteer co-ordinator Paul Wharton presented the first of the medals to volunteer Nicholas Day who supports staff on ward 36 at least three times a week, often at a weekend.
In 2020, at the height of the pandemic, 10 million new volunteers across the UK stepped up to support their communities. That equates to one in five UK adults stepping up to support post 23 March 2020.
Receiving his medal, former Royal Navy veteran Mr Day said: “We don’t do this for the praise or recognition. We just want to give something back and it is so very rewarding. Thank you.”
“Thank you for all that you do”
Speaking at the event, held in the University Hospital of North Tees chapel, Julie praised Nicholas and all of the volunteers working within the organisation.
She said: “Your contribution over the past year, and indeed beyond has been critical. From mealtime companions to our volunteer drivers, vaccination support, volunteer responders, and so many more wonderful ways in which you contribute to our hospitals and wider community. Thank you for all that you do for the Trust and for the families and patients of Teesside.”
Ms Gillon presented Mr Day with a letter of appreciation and a medal, which expressed her personal gratitude. It explained: “We could not have made the progress we did, in the time we did, without our volunteer support network. The difference you made to both staff and patients, and indeed our wider communities is knitted into the fabric of North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust. When we reflect on this time, and we start to document our experience further – you are part of that story, and we will be forever grateful.”
Become one of our volunteers
You can find out more about the opportunities available to volunteer on our volunteer webpage.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please email [email protected]