Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust (HDFT) alongside Harrogate Hospital & Community Charity (HHCC) last week celebrated the 40th anniversary of Volunteers’ Week. The week is a time dedicated to expressing gratitude for the amazing efforts and significant impact volunteers make each and every day across the Trust.
HDFT benefits from the dedication of over 400 active volunteers ranging in age from 16 to over 90. Collectively, these volunteers contribute up to 1,800 hours each month and remarkably, some volunteers have been with the Trust for over 40 years; exemplifying an unparalleled level of passion and commitment.
Throughout Volunteers’ Week, HHCC and Volunteers’ team have shared videos, testimonials and infographics on social media and throughout the Trust to celebrate the week. Alongside this, a large a banner was unveiled at the main entrance of Harrogate District Hospital at the start of the week to announce the celebration to all volunteers, visitors, patients and colleagues.
On Monday 10 June, HDFT held a Volunteer Thank You event of the year at Morpeth Golf Club in Northumberland as a way to celebrate all volunteers, including the newly trained Breast Feeding Peer Support Volunteers, who supporting Community Services in the North East.
Christine, Breast Feeding Peer Support Volunteer from Northumberland said: “It is a wonderful, but also an anxious time for a volunteer helping new mums.
“The best support I had was peer support from other mothers. It is incredibly rewarding to be able to pass this knowledge to others in the same way.”
Josh, a Meet and Greet Volunteer said: “My Teaching Assistant at school told me to give it a go and I really enjoy it.
“I’ve met some great people as everyone in the volunteers’ team is really helpful and amazing.”
A following Volunteer Thank You event will be held in Harrogate during September 2024.
Georgia Hudson, Volunteer and Charity Manager said: “This is my favourite week as it is a time to reflect and celebrate the immense contributions our volunteers make at Team HDFT.
“Our volunteers make a huge impact and without their help, Team HDFT wouldn’t be the place it is.
“Volunteers can contribute to over 50 different roles at HDFT, some of them are supporting new mums in their breast feeding journey, helping patients during meal time, or just being a friendly face to talk to.
“Volunteers can help out in the gardens and make them a warm and welcoming space to spend some time outdoors and also work at our award winning Harrogate Hospital Radio.”
Yvonne Campbell, Acting Business Development Charity and Volunteer Manager said: “Volunteers’ Week is an incredible week to celebrate the help, support and sparkle that volunteers add to the services provided at Team HDFT.”
Sarah Armstrong, Chair of HDFT she said: “When a nervous patient comes to the hospital and when they are greeted by a volunteer, it puts them at ease. Nobody can do that quite like volunteers do.”
– ENDS –
For further information please contact:
Giles Latham, Communications and Marketing Manager, [email protected] and 01423 557470.
Greg Dawson, Senior Communications and Marketing Officer, [email protected] and 01423 557732.
Taniya Khan, Communications Assistant, [email protected] and 01423 557732