RD&E Hospital volunteers recognised

The commitment and dedication of volunteers at the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust has been recognised at a special afternoon tea hosted by Chairman James Brent and the Board.

The event was organised as a thank you to all those who regularly give their time to support staff and visitors to the hospital.  

There are currently over 300 volunteers who give approximately 1,750 hours a month volunteering at the RD&E Hospital and with partner organisations such as ELF, Force and Hospital Radio Exeter.

They play a huge part in helping to improve the experience of being in hospital for patients and visitors, enabling frontline, clinical and nursing staff to focus on providing patient care. They fulfil roles such as meeting and greeting patients and supporting them to attend clinics; running the trolley shop in the wards; and helping patients attend Sunday services in the Chaplaincy Centre.

The volunteer celebration was hosted in the Oasis Restaurant and was attended by around 100 volunteers. The event’s special guests enjoyed an impressive spread of sandwiches and cream tea, whilst chatting with fellow volunteers, members of the Board and Non-Executive Directors.

Chairman James Brent said: “I am delighted to host this party to celebrate the on-going and much appreciated commitment of the many people who volunteer at the Trust.  I am very aware how important our volunteers are in ensuring the RD&E is a friendly and welcoming place to visit and I hope that this event goes some way to thanking them for the difference they make to the day to day running of the hospital.”

The event followed on from National Volunteers Week (1st – 7th June), which is an annual celebration of the fantastic contribution millions of volunteers make across the UK.

To find out more about volunteering at the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust visit www.rdehospital.nhs.uk/patients/help/volunteers.html email rde-tr.volunteers@nhs.net  or leave a message on 01392 406058.