Our shout out to all the fabulous volunteers out there

It's volunteers week from 1 - 7 June and here at Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust we take this opportunity to say thank you to all the fabulous volunteers everywhere.

Beverly Blass, our volunteer service manager shares her thoughts, "Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart.

"We would like to say a huge thank you to all those volunteers who tirelessly give up their time to help others. From talking to patients, to helping our staff with administration tasks and everything in between all of our volunteers do a fantastic job.

"Volunteers are not just the icing on the cake but the cherry on top. It is both a privilege to work day in and day out with all of you."

Meet some of our volunteers:

Terry Freeman

Terry started her 31st year of volunteering at Edgware Community Hospital in December 2016. Terry has volunteered at several other charity organisations along with ECH over the years. She said, "I love helping people and making a difference." Read her full story here.

Linda Krasniqi

Linda volunteers in the physiotherapy ward / post stroke ward in administration and in the volunteering office at Edgware Community hospital. Linda said, "Volunteering is a great way to get back into work and volunteering in healthcare is emotionally rewarding." Read more here.

Thiviya Sivakanthan

Thiviya Sivakanthan is 17 years old and is currently studying in year 12. Thiviya volunteers in a care home and special needs school as well. She said, "The experience of volunteering in a hospital is very different but just as rewarding. I am hoping to study medicine in the future and become a doctor. In fact, volunteering at the hospital really confirmed that this is what I want to do." Read more here.

Jonathan Albutt

"Before I took early retirement my professional expertise was managing international IT projects in a banking environment. I've retired from that demanding lifestyle and can now finally focus on what I want to do. Volunteering gives me immense personal pleasure. If I feel I made an improvement to another person's life that is enough for me. Getting positive feedback is a welcome bonus." Read more here.

Andrea Tootle

I am 66 years young. My duties vary from giving out tea and coffee to patients, washing cutlery and crockery as there is no dishwasher, talking to patients and relatives, helping with reception work, tidying the linen cupboard and watering plants. The list is endless and varies according to the needs of the patients and staff. Read more here.

Julie Young

I left the district nursing team to start a business which didn't quite work out long term. Getting back into work seemed harder than I expected but for the past year I have been working as a private carer for an elderly lady four days a week. I had been thinking how I would very much like to work in a hospice, but didn't have experience of a hospice environment, I thought it would be a good idea to try volunteering on my day off, something I had never done before. Read more here.