The thank you comes as part of this week’s National Volunteers Week 2024 which celebrates and recognises the commitment and dedication of all volunteers across the country.
The army of volunteers freely give up their time to provide valuable support across the hospital in clinical and support services.
From the hospital’s buggy drivers and smiling front desk receptionists to ward helpers and nimble-footed pharmacy runners, they play an important role in enhancing the patient experience and work across 30 departments in the hospital.
This afternoon (5 June), the hospital hosted a special thank you celebration for its volunteers at King’s Lynn’s Knights Hill Hotel. More than 45 volunteers attended the event where hospital CEO Alice Webster personally thanked them for their dedication and service.
Adrian Thorarinsson, from King’s Lynn, has been volunteering in the Trust’s League of Friends Shop for 15 years, and more recently has also been driving the hospital’s new patient buggy. He was among five volunteers who received their long service award from the CEO at the event.
Adrian said: “The NHS has always been very good to me and volunteering at the Trust was a great way to give back and say thank you.
“I love interacting with patients, their families and visitors – every day is different, and I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.”
Also receiving their volunteer long service award was:
- Andrew (Andy) Doughty, Macmillan Centre receptionist, celebrating five years’ service
- Gill Dorey, front-of-house receptionist, celebrating 10 years’ service
- John Stares, front-of-house receptionist / member of the Trust’s Reader Panel, celebrating five years’ service
- Rosalyn Virgo, Brancaster Ward receptionist, celebrating five years’ service
Reflecting on the event Alice said: “It is good to be able to acknowledge our volunteers for their dedication and service. We are so lucky to have such an amazing group of individuals helping us to provide the very best experience for our patients, their families, and visitors by offering a friendly face, listening ear and kindness daily, throughout their very different roles.
“Volunteering can make such a difference to others, no one makes it through their life without someone else’s help at some point and we are indebted to our volunteer colleagues who support us with this so well – thank you.”
Joanne Rowe, Voluntary Services Manager at The QEH, said: “Today’s event was a special celebration for all of our volunteers and a chance to say a huge thank you to them all. We are so grateful to each and every one of them.”
On 1 October The QEH will hold its annual Team QEH Awards which, supported by sponsor by Palm Paper Ltd, provide a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the excellent care being delivered everyday by local healthcare workers and volunteers.
Communities in and around King’s Lynn are being encouraged to celebrate the incredible contribution that the Trust’s volunteers make to the hospital by nominating their personal volunteer stars for the ‘John Voaden Volunteer of the Year Award’.
Last year the ‘Wednesday wonder of Rudham ward’, better known to us a Jim Tripp scooped the Volunteer of the Year Award for the prized work he carries out on the children’s ward.
Nominations close next Friday (14 June). For more information and to submit your nomination, please click here.
To find out more about volunteering opportunities at The QEH visit their website. Roles include Front Desk cover, Pharmacy Runners, Macmillan support and lots more.
For more information, contact the Trust’s Voluntary Services Manager, Joanne Rowe, by email: volunteerapplications@qehkl.nhs.uk or call 01553 214687.
Ends.
Notes to editors; For media enquires only, please contact Communications Team, media.enquiries@qehkl.nhs.uk or 01553 613216. For all other enquiries, please contact QEH Switchboard on 01553 613613.
To download the press release and photos, click here.
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