AWP appreciates volunteers

Volunteers gathered at the Callington Road hospital in Bristol on Friday 30 January for the AWP Volunteer Appreciation Event.

The event, organised by Carolyn Gibson, Voluntary Service Administrator, was a way of thanking volunteers for the valuable work they do for the Trust.

Volunteers were welcomed with tea and cakes and thanked for all they do to support service users and staff by Linda Hutchings, Head of Patient Safety Systems. There are around 150 volunteers working at the Trust with activities ranging from taking exercise classes to gardening to music classes.

Volunteers were also asked for feedback about the process of becoming a volunteer in AWP and about what motivated them to do volunteer work.

There were many positive comments about volunteering from those attending the event.One volunteer said that they felt nervous when they started volunteering but that staff, 'were very welcoming and supportive so my confidence began to grow.' Another volunteer said that they most enjoyed: 'Meeting and helping people' and their advice for any prospective volunteers was: 'Give it a try!'

Carolyn said, '"It's important that volunteers are recognised for the difference they make to the patients and carers in the local community and the event was a great way to do this." 

To hear a podcast with a Trust volunteer and a staff member talking about the benefits of volunteer work, click here  to go to the involvement page for the website and click the music symbol to listen.

If you are interested in volunteering, contact the volunteer team on 01380 731304 or awp.volunteering@nhs.net to find out more.