'Legendary' Meryl among volunteers thanked for 530 years combined service
Volunteers from across our hospital sites, who have chalked up a combined total of 530 years of service, have been celebrated and recognised at an awards ceremony at Royal Derby Hospital.
Volunteers from the Trust, League of Friends and Friends of the Baby Unit were among guests at the event, which was kindly funded by Derby and Burton Hospitals Charity.
One person who was thanked for her contribution was Meryl Hewitson-Groves, who was celebrating a remarkable 50 years of voluntary service.
Meryl was instrumental in founding the League of Friends for the Victoria Hospital in Lichfield, which later became Samuel Johnson Community Hospital.
Described as a 'stalwart' by those who know her for her fantastic fund-raising ideas, in particular her 'strawberry teas' which are legendary among colleagues and patients, Meryl said she has followed in her mother's footsteps, as she also volunteered for 50 years for a national charity.
Meryl said: "I went along to the inaugural meeting to form the League of Friends as a representative of my church. Back then it was the Victoria and St Michael's Hospital. I started as secretary and then became chair 30 years ago!
"My girls were at school and my mum was also a volunteer for more than 50 years so it just seemed a natural step to give back however I could. I think volunteering is just about helping people, if you are giving you get the reward and that is what life is all about."
Our dedicated volunteers play a vital and varied role in the delivery of exceptional care across UHDB, helping us to provide a better experience for anyone who might find themselves in our hospitals.
Andrew Selby, Director of Estates and Facilities Management, who presented volunteers with certificates and gifts in recognition for their generosity over the years, said the role of the volunteers is invaluable and 'the hospital could not function without the volunteers and their unwavering support.'
"Whether it is directing people, helping on the wards or driving our buggies, we are so lucky to have such dedicated volunteers who choose to give and to care every day. We are so grateful to them for their generosity but the feedback we often get is that they find volunteering incredibly rewarding, so if it something you think you might be interested in, come and be part of team UHDB."
Our dedicated volunteers support and help provide a better experience for anyone who might find themselves in hospital.
Volunteers play a vital and varied role in the delivery of exceptional care across UHDB, helping us to provide a better experience for anyone who might find themselves in our hospitals - whether that's welcoming and directing people to the correct departments and wards, providing our patients with beverages and nutrition on the wards or socialising with patients if they require company.
Volunteers are invaluable to our Trust, and we welcome anyone who wants to join and support within the following hospitals:
Royal Derby Hospital
Florence Nightingale Community Hospital
Queen's Hospital Burton
Samuel Johnson Community Hospital
Sir Robert Peel Hospital
You can find out more about the volunteering opportunities at our hospitals here >