Volunteering Newsletter Summer 2023

In this issue

Volunteers begin careers in healthcare

Volunteer Q&A: Meet Maggie

Complete our Volunteering Survey

Saying Thank You at our summer event

Using our Free Will Service

Length of Service awards

Welcome to Ileri and Liz Hospital updates Volunteering updates Your noticeboard

Get in touch

You can contact the Volunteering Department using the details below:

T: 020 3005 6391

E: volunteering@imperialcharity.org.uk

Or you can visit our website to find more information about volunteering at our hospitals: imperialcharity.org.uk/volunteering

Welcome

I’m writing this message to you on Wednesday 5 July, which is a very special day in our NHS calendar - because on this day 75 years ago the National Health Service was born.

Three quarters of a century later it remains one of the country’s proudest achievements, with a commitment to care for all and free at the point of delivery. Over the decades, volunteers have played a significant part in the NHS story - and they continue to make a real difference in hospitals across the UK today. As we celebrate this milestone moment, it’s an opportunity for me to say a heartfelt thank you for everything you do to help our hospitals at Imperial College Healthcare. Your generous support will always be appreciated.

for the next couple of months as we begin our summer Youth Volunteering Programme - the largest group of 16 to 21-year-olds we’ve invited into our hospitals since establishing the programme back in 2018. A warm welcome to those of you who are starting with us in July.

@charityimperial

In this landmark year for the NHS, I’m delighted to see even more volunteers stepping forward to get involved. Since the beginning of April this year, more than 500 of you have given your time to sign up for shifts across our five hospitals. In addition, over 170 young people have joined our growing community of volunteers

As always, we’re really keen to hear about your experiences as a volunteer at Imperial. That’s why we run our annual volunteering survey at this time each year. Please take a moment to complete the survey (page 5) and share your views so we can continue to improve the support we provide. Thank you and best wishes,

Chris Neal, Head of Volunteering

P.S. If you weren’t able to attend our Thank You event in July, pop into the volunteering office on your next shift to collect your NHS75 pin badge.

Cover image: Meet and Greet Volunteer Fiona outside the QEQM building at St Mary’s Hospital.

Many of our amazing volunteers discover a real passion for healthcare and go on to begin new careers in the NHS. Here, Inna, Emiliano and Alla share their personal stories.

Inna recently completed 100 hours of volunteering - and her last shift as an A&E Volunteer. She’s now putting her experience to good use as a Healthcare Support Worker at the Royal Free Hospital.

“Since becoming a volunteer in A&E, I’ve learnt how to help people - and my local community,” she

said. “I really feel like part of a great team that cares for people when they’re at their most vulnerable.

“I strongly believe volunteering has helped me gain confidence and new skills. It’s also offered me additional learning opportunities, which allowed me to grow and develop in my role - and beyond.”

Emiliano started volunteering with us on Hammersmith Hospital’s cardiology ward after moving to London from Argentina in June last year. Having been a podiatrist and clinical reflexologist for 27 years, Emiliano wanted to volunteer in the health sector while taking English classes at the same time.

Emiliano says volunteering allowed him to get a job in the NHS - and helped him apply for a license to practice podiatry in the UK. He now works as a Ward Host at the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, and regularly uses the skills he gained as a volunteer.

“Volunteering is an enriching experience,” he said. “It always brings satisfaction and makes us feel better about ourselves. The group of volunteers is fantastic. They’re always giving their best and are willing to help and encourage us to face our limits and reach success.”

A hairdresser by trade, Alla decided to volunteer with us because she liked working with people and wanted to do something to help others.

She quickly realised she enjoyed being in a hospital setting and applied for an apprenticeship to become a healthcare assistant at the Royal Free Hospital. She began her new role in March this year, and is now working in hand trauma, ophthalmology and gynaecology.

“Volunteering gave me the opportunity to totally change my career. I would recommend it to anyone and I’m really thankful.”

‘Volunteering has helped me gain confidence and skills’

Volunteer Q&A

Name Maggie Baker

At which hospital do you volunteer?

St Mary’s Hospital

When did you start volunteering with us?

I started my volunteer role in November 2022.

What is your volunteer role?

I’m a Family Host on the Grand Union ward, which is a paediatric haematology and oncology ward.

In what ways do you think you make a difference as a volunteer?

I help brighten up someone’s day and take a bit of pressure off the nursing staff and play specialists.

What have you learnt while volunteering?

Everything that happens on the ward is down to great teamwork. As they say, ‘teamwork makes the dream work’. And it certainly does!

What do you enjoy most about volunteering?

I enjoy spending time with the children and parents, and putting a smile on someone’s face. Whether it’s playing games, having a chat, listening or just making a drink.

What would you say to someone who is considering volunteering at one of our hospitals?

It’s a brilliant thing to do, and I really look forward to my weekly shift. Everyone is so friendly and helpful. It’s nice to give something back and you will be well supported in your role.

If you could take one book on a desert island, what would it be?

All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot.

We want to make sure you have a positive and enjoyable experience when you’re volunteering with us. And to help us improve the support we provide, we’d like to hear from you!

The survey is anonymous, so you can freely share your feedback, comments and suggestions. You’ll also be entered into a prize draw with a chance to win a £30 Amazon gift card.

Please take a moment to complete our short Volunteering Survey and share your views about volunteering at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust.

To complete the survey, scan the QR code above or go to: surveymonkey.com/ r/2023volsurvey1

Meet Maggie

Leave your legacy.

Make a gift for the future.

Leaving us a gift in your will is a wonderful way to help our hospitals. You can leave your legacy and make a real impact. Not only today but for generations to come.

Thanks to the kindness and compassion of generous people like you, we can continue supporting outstanding care and life-saving medical research.

Here’s to you! Saying thank you at our summer event

All year round, you - our incredible volunteers - make an enormous impact across our hospitals. From helping visitors find their way to providing friendly companionship to patients at the bedside.

We’re hugely grateful for everything you do to help our hospitals. And that’s why we love saying thank you!

We were delighted to bring so many of you together - including

our Medical Director Professor Julian Redhead - for our summer ‘Thank You’ event at Camley Street Natural Park earlier in July.

It was a fantastic opportunity to raise a glass in recognition of your extraordinary efforts and the contribution you make to support the NHS.

Thank you to everyone who was able to join us for the evening. We hope you had a wonderful time!

You can make your gift to a specific hospital, ward or department - or entrust us to make sure your gift goes to wherever the need is greatest.

THANK YOU!

How to include us in your will

A solicitor will advise you about the options for leaving a gift in your will, but you’ll need to include our name (Imperial Health Charity), address (178-180 Edgware Road, London, W2 2DS) and registration number (1166084). You can also speak to us about our Free Will Service. If you’re over 55, you can have a simple will written or updated - and we will cover the cost. There’s no obligation to leave us a gift, but if you’d like to help our hospitals in this way we can provide you with extra support. To request an information pack, email legacy@imperialcharity.org.uk or call us on 020 3640 7766.

Length of Service award recipients

Congratulations to all those volunteers listed below who have reached major milestones with us over the last few months. Thank you for your incredible efforts helping our hospitals.

5-10 YEARS

Patricia Walton (10 years)

Ruth Blunt (5 years)

100

Charlotte Hart

Danielle Cahill

Dolores Ramirez

Endesa Franca

Lucy Hart

Inna Syvak

Abdul Nsubuga

30

Adauto Costa

Aleena Khan

Alejandra Fong

Amina Bendriss

Anne Millman

Anum Naeem

Bao Wu

Christopher Everard

YEARS

Amanda Jones

Beate Vogt

Elaine Shepherd

Jane Owsley

YEAR

Joanna Lloyd-Davies

Linda Boyle

Suzi Aplin

Bridget Sensky

Carl Broadhurst

Leonardo Do

Nascimento

Maddwoa OmarMireku

Mina Gholizadeh Andi

Nickhima Edmonson

Rachel Cooper

Sadeneh Aslanzadeh

Sally Sheringham

Dharmistha Allibhai

Duncan Kegerreis

Emiliano Daniel

Garcia

Emmanuel Opuni

Janet Forte

Jennifer Jawa

Jozef Daantos

Julia Bassani

Kate McLeod Scott

Khalid Abdinur

Marco Godfrey

Mary Kinsella

Penny McCarthy

Rania Ades

Susannah Kurti

Vaughan Hart

Lais Bloinski

Leidy Marin

Leyla Has

Louise Elessawi

Maria Benet

Mary Cupples

Nancy Bicho

Natalia Falciano

Reza

Ryan Yapi

Sara Derradji

Sawaros Tantratorn

Sen Yau Lee

Susannah Kurti

Tasnim Hossain

Xueying Wang

Yasmin El-Moudden

Zainab Dauda

Zarir Rahman Ayaz

Get to know your brand new volunteering team members

Ileri Ogunbanwo

Programme

Manager, Volunteer Responder Scheme

(Charing Cross Hospital)

I joined the volunteering team in May. Before I started here I managed the Vauxhall Food Bank and I also previously worked in the NHS. I studied physiotherapy and practiced for a year, then worked in logistics in charities - so I have an insight into working in both

a charity and clinical setting. I really enjoy working with people and I feel that volunteers always have such interesting stories. I really enjoy that, as well as interacting with people from different walks of life.

Hospital updates

Charing Cross Hospital

We’ve been really pleased to see our amazing gardening volunteers helping out with the maintenance of our outdoor spaces, including the new Sanctuary Garden. We will also be launching our arts volunteer and dialysis support volunteer roles soon.

Hammersmith Hospital

Patients and NHS staff on the C8 ward have been getting to know a friendly new visitor, with Therapy Dog Volunteer Annick bringing in his pet pooch Teddy to say hello!

Queen Charlotte’s & Chelsea Hospital

Our brand new Hospital Host Volunteers have started in post, with several more ready to join them over the coming weeks. Our brilliant volunteers will provide a friendly welcome at the hospital front door.

Liz Lane

Volunteering Officer

(Charing Cross Hospital)

expectant mothers and fathers. I decided to move to a nonclinical area and became a Front of House receptionist for Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. Now I want to give something back to the community and I’m looking forward to meeting all our amazing volunteers.

St Mary’s Hospital

We’ve had extensive building work at St Mary’s in recent weeks - so a big thank you to those of you who have helped our patients navigate the closed corridors and alternative routes around the site. A new mental health assessment centre, The Lighthouse, has also opened its doors behind the Dumbell building.

Western Eye Hospital

New and improved areas of the Western Eye have recently reopened, and we’re looking forward to welcoming more patients to the Macular clinic and day surgery as our specialised ophthalmology services resume.

Volunteering updates

In the first week of June we celebrated Volunteers’ Week, showing our appreciation to you - our fantastic volunteers - and all that you do to support staff and patients across our hospitals. We delivered a special gift box straight to your door, containing a delicious cake jar and thank you card, to show how much we appreciate everything you do.

Chris Neal, Head of Volunteering, said: “We regularly hear from staff how much the volunteers are a valued part of the team and a pleasure to work alongside and we’re looking forward to expanding and improving the programme throughout the coming year.”

Last year you spent a combined 18,162 hours volunteering at our hospitals, delivering meals, greeting visitors, taking part in activities with patients and lots more.

Volunteering by numbers

Your noticeboard

It’s been a busy few months for everyone working and volunteering in our hospitals. Here are just a few of our highlights from April, May and June.

Enjoy!

Our new team member Ileri has been busy gathering info to help plan our new volunteer ‘responder’ service at Charing Cross.

Our fantastic volunteers and their Pets as Therapy Dogs are making a big impact all over our hospitals. Thank you for bringing a smile to our patients’ faces!

Thanks to all those of you who have been busy supporting our reception areas where we’ve seen higher numbers than normal in

524 active volunteers

6,635 hours

1 April to 30 June 2023

2,168 volunteering shifts

Did you tuck into the Cake and Card gift we sent you for Volunteers’ Week?

There’s nothing like a sweet treat to celebrate a special occasion!

We hope you enjoyed receiving your badge,commemorativespecial marking 75 years of our incredible National Health Service, at our Thank You event in July.

Volunteer Ghenadie receives his