Let's celebrate! Huge thank you for hospital volunteers

6 October 2011

The 446 volunteers who give up their time to support services at Epsom, St Helier and Sutton hospitals were celebrated at a prestigious annual tea party last Friday (30 September 2011).

The special event, which took place in the Queen's Stand at Epsom Racecourse, saw a crowd of hospital volunteers enjoy cakes, sandwiches and even a spot of dancing.

They were joined by the Trust's Chief Executive Matthew Hopkins and local MPs Tom Brake (MP for Carshalton and Wallington); Paul Burstow (MP for Sutton and Cheam and the Minister of State for Care Services) and Chris Grayling (MP for Epsom and Ewell and Minister of State for Work and Pensions), who were all at the event.

Also at the event, a number of volunteers were presented with long service awards in recognition of their long standing commitment to our hospitals.

Matthew said: "The unwavering support of our volunteers is an absolute credit to our hospitals, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of them.

"Our volunteers help us in so many ways - from befriending people on ours wards to running the tea shops and staffing the hospital's two radio stations - and they certainly don't take their responsibilities lightly. In fact, our volunteers donated more than 85,000 hours of their time to us last year."

Speaking to the volunteers during the event, Tom Brake MP said: "Your commitment to St Helier and Sutton hospitals brings to mind words that Gandhi once said. They were: 'I shall pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.'"

Paul Burstow MP said: "It's obvious from speaking to you, that there are a number of very clear reasons why you're all here today and so willing to give your free time to the Trust. What stands out most for me is your desire to give something back to the community and the sense of fulfilment you get from the roles you perform. You continue to lift the spirit of the community, and for that we thank you."

Chris Grayling MP said: "Epsom Hospital would be a very different place were it not for the large team of volunteers who work there. It's clear to me that the volunteers are true stars, and on behalf of the people of Epsom and the surrounding area, I would like to thank you all. Keep up the good work."

Lesley Scott, voluntary services manager for the Trust said: "The volunteers' tea party is a marvellous opportunity for all of our volunteers to get together, relax and meet with senior members of staff from across our hospitals. It's a very proud day for everyone involved, and it's a pleasure to be a part of."

Volunteer Natalie Osborne, who works for Epsom Hospital Radio, said: "This is now my 13th year with the radio station, so it's really nice to be thanked and recognised at the tea party. Besides that, it's great opportunity to meet and chat to the other volunteers who work in different departments, as we don't often have the chance to.

"I really love volunteering because although you get a great sense of giving something back to the community, you're given the chance to learn new skills and meet new people."

Following lunch, and a number of classic songs from local band the Steve Bradford Duo, the following volunteers were presented with long service awards:

15 years service

• Meena Shukla, League of Friends, St Helier; 

• Martin Smither, Radio St Helier; 

• Graham Baker, Radio St Helier; 

• Sheila Greening, Friends of Epsom Hospital; 

• Pamela Austin, Friends of Epsom Hospital; 

• Dottie Harridge, Friends of Epsom Hospital.

25 years service

• Pat Gaiger, League of Friends, St Helier.

Matthew added: "I would like to thank MPs Tom, Paul and Chris for attending the event - they were a welcome addition to the party."