More than 37,000 hours dedicated by hospital volunteers

Hospital volunteers have dedicated more than 37,000 hours and helped 15,000 people over the course of this year.

2023 has been a busy year for the Voluntary Services Team at United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust (ULHT). The Trust now has over 200 volunteers across Lincoln, Boston and Grantham hospitals, including 60 new volunteers who have started this year.

The Trust has a wide range of volunteering opportunities, from patient facing to office based administrative roles. The longest serving volunteer has been with the Trust for 28 years.

Paul Pyrah, a ward buddy volunteer at Lincoln County Hospital, said: “For me personally I think helping and supporting others is in my blood. I have been a hospital volunteer for 10 years and a volunteer charity worker for 29 years and am looking forward to many more years to come.”

Recently the Trust’s volunteers enjoyed a Christmas lunch together funded by the United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity. A way to recognise and thank them for all their hard work over the year.

Voluntary Services Manager, Andy Tysoe, said: “This year has been hugely successful for our volunteers and the continued support they provide is truly inspiring!

“We are now recruiting two new voluntary services supervisors to help increase our recruitment even further.

“I want to give a massive thank you to all our volunteers, their work not only supports our patients and their families, but also staff too. I look forward to seeing what 2024 brings.”

To find out more about volunteering for ULHT please contact Voluntary.Services@ulh.nhs.uk or visit www.ulh.nhs.uk/jobs/working-for-us/volunteering/.