Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust celebrated Volunteers’ Week and the valuable contribution volunteers make to the organisation.
The Trust has over 440 volunteers who carried out a total of 90,231 volunteering hours in 2024/25.
In celebration the Trust hosted two ‘Thank you’ events with afternoon tea and presented Long Service Awards to volunteers who have completed between 5 and 30 years of service.
Victorine Clarke, who has volunteered for 30 years in both the National Spinal Injury Unit (NSIC) and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) said: “My volunteering journey started after I visited a friend’s friend in the NSIC. All his family were abroad, and he had no visitors. At the time I wasn’t working and in a bad place, so I decided that volunteering would be ideal to get me back on my feet. It gave me purpose and it was very rewarding to meet people who were trying to overcome the trauma of life-changing injuries. I trained to drive the minibus and was able support patients going out for trips such as lunch or cricket matches. I think volunteers are essential especially in the Spinal Unit as the patients are there for such a long time and some don’t have many, if any, visitors. I think it's also important to recognise the staff who support volunteers in their roles across the Trust and nurses like Helen, in ICU, are great with us and provide so much support to enable volunteers to support patient care."
Victorine has also knitted over 800 hearts for ICU patients and their families since COVID and knits blankets and hats for the Neonatal Unit.
Bridget O’Kelly, Chief People Officer said: “Our volunteers provide support across a variety of areas including wards, clinical areas, offices, the hospital radio station and gardens. Their presence offers comfort and kindness to patients, their families and loved ones, enhancing their experience at what is often their most vulnerable time. Volunteers' Week is a chance to celebrate and recognise the fantastic contribution our volunteers make every day and say a big thank you.”
Learn more about volunteering here (external site)
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