Published on: 7th June 2016
LPFT currently has around 100 dedicated volunteers who give up their free time in a variety of different ways, from helping out with friendship groups to volunteering at inpatient units.
This week marks national Volunteers' Week, which runs from 1 to 12 June, and an opportunity to celebrate their valuable input which is integral to the way the Trust operates
To recognise their contributions, every LPFT volunteer has received a letter and certificate of thanks, signed by Trust Chair Paul Devlin.
Our volunteers make a fantastic contribution to the wellbeing of patients and their carers, and their vital input cannot be underestimated
said Paul.
I’m delighted that the Witham Court volunteers have been recognised in this way and send them, along with all our dedicated volunteers, my heartfelt thanks for all that they do
There's further cause to celebrate too as recently a group of our dementia volunteers were awarded a free basket of fruit from supermarket giant Tesco, in recognition of their contribution to patient care.
Staff at the Canwick Road store in Lincoln, have just launched their new ‘Thankful Thursday’ initiative and every week celebrate a different troop of community volunteers.
The very first award went to a group of friendly welcomers, based at the Trust’s dementia inpatient unit at Witham Court in North Hykeham, Lincoln.
The team of four help out regularly at the unit, welcoming patients and families in reception and helping to put them at ease before attending appointments.
Community champion at Tesco, Di Cox said she was delighted that the store’s first award has gone to such worthy winners.
We work closely with the Lincoln Voluntary Centre Services and accept weekly nominations for volunteers from across the city
she said.
These people give up their time for free, so we wanted to give something back and say a little thank you back. A free hamper of fruit is our way of doing that.
The Witham Court helpers consist of Glen Booles, Hannah Woolhouse, Sally Chourlaton and Jackie Hunt and were nominated by Trust volunteer coordinator Rob Kendrick.
Glen, who has been volunteering for five years and is now the longest serving member of the team, said he enjoyed meeting the patients.
We chat to them and put them at ease before their outpatient appointments
said Glen.
Sometimes they’re nervous before seeing the doctors so it helps for someone to be there with a friendly face.
Pictured above from left to right are Pat Butler (Witham Court), Rob Kendrick, Glen Booles, Mark Turner (Tesco), Hannah Woolhouse, Di Cox and Margaret Ash and Mel Macey (both from Witham Court).
