A hospital trust has celebrated the more than 37,000 hours of voluntary service it benefitted from in 2024.
At an event on December 23, 300 volunteers from West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust gathered to celebrate their achievements and have their generosity acknowledged by the trust.
The gathering also saw the presentation of 46 long service awards, while a whopping 37,666 hours of voluntary service – an increase of 1,288 hours on the previous year – were commemorated.
West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, which runs West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds, celebrated the work of its volunteers in 2024 on December 23. Picture: WSFT
The event gave the volunteers a chance to catch up with each other, enjoy a buffet sponsored by the My WiSH Charity and have their achievements applauded.
Maureen Orange, who works on the main reception desk at the West Suffolk Hospital, has been giving her time to the Trust for 25 years.
She said: “I have done most of my volunteering on main reception and I love it.
Maureen Orange is a volunteer on the main reception desk at the West Suffolk Hospital. Picture: WSFT
“You meet so many lovely people and the patients are so incredibly brave.
“I hope I am a nice smiley face for them to see as they come in and can do something to help them with their visit.”
One award for 30 years’ service was presented at the event to Brian Stoneham, who works on the hospital radio station, Radio West Suffolk, travelling from Norfolk to do so.
Brian Stoneham, pictured centre, who has given 30 years of service to West Suffolk Hospital. Picture: WSFT
Over his time at the hospital he has had his own show once or twice a week, but also fills in wherever he’s needed, including on the sports show.
Peter Seales was recognised for his 10 years of service to the trust. He volunteers on ward F8, doing everything but medical tasks, anything the staff or patients need that he can help with.
“I can interact with the patients, perhaps spend 15 minutes with them, just chatting.
Peter Seales, pictured left, and Maureen Orange, pictured right, have given 10 years and 25 years of voluntary service to West Suffolk Hospital respectively. Picture: WSFT
“Then there is making beds, or doing the pharmacy run – collecting the medication people need so they can go home.”
There were a further 10 awards presented for 10 years of service, alongside three for 20 years, four for 15 years and 26 for five years.
Lee Ranson, volunteer services lead at the Trust, said: “I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to our incredible team of volunteers, who dedicate their time and energy to support our patients and staff across the Trust.
“Whether it’s guiding patients, offering a listening ear, or assisting in countless other ways, their presence is felt across the Trust.
“It’s nearly impossible to walk through a few corridors, step into a department, or visit a ward without spotting one of our volunteers wearing their signature red lanyards — a small symbol of the big difference they make.
“Their kindness, dedication, and hard work is so appreciated by myself, my team and colleagues across the Trust.”