Top photo: L-R Stephen Hamilton, Voluntary Services Manager, Mary Macleod, MP for Brentford and Isleworth, Colin Stacey from the Hounslow Voluntary Group for Diabetes UK accepting the award along with other members of the Cardiac Alliance.
Bottom photo: L-R Stephen Hamilton, Voluntary Services Manager, Anna-Marie Mitchell, Occupational Health & Wellbeing Manager, Jean-Marie Blyo, winner of Volunteer of the Year, and Mary Macleod MP.
Volunteers at West Middlesex University Hospital were joined by local MP Mary Macleod this week at an awards ceremony and lunch to mark their efforts.
The hospital has nearly 300 volunteers who give up their time for free to help with a variety of tasks across its busy departments.
Mary Macleod, MP for Brentford & Isleworth, came along to show her support for their “inspirational” contribution.
She explained: “It’s really important to be here, firstly to say thank you to the people who have given up their time and energy, and shown real commitment to the hospital. Their presence helps to make it a real community hub.
“They are also a shining example of what we need everywhere in the community and to others who may feel able to offer help in some way.”
Staff were asked to vote for the volunteer who they felt had given total commitment in their work and helped improve patient experience.
The award went to Jean-Marie Blyo from Acton for his willingness to do anything to help anyone around the hospital and his assistance with implementing the hospital’s successful flu vaccination programme.
He said: “I didn’t expect it because there are a lot of people volunteering and working hard. I really put my heart and soul into my work and I don’t care where I’m sent to help out.”
Jean-Marie started volunteering at the hospital three years ago after a serious car accident left him unable to work. His doctor suggested volunteering to help rehabilitate him back into work.
Jean-Marie explained: “When I first came here it was difficult for me to express myself but learning different things in different areas has helped to build my confidence. I have also felt very supported and valued by the managers here. I hope to carry on volunteering until I am able to find a job.”
The team of the year award went to the Cardiac Alliance, a team of three volunteer groups providing information and support on diabetes, stroke, and heart problems – health conditions which can often be linked.
They staff information stalls in the hospital’s atrium through most of the year and work tirelessly to raise money for its charity fund.
Colin Stacey from the Hounslow Voluntary Group for Diabetes UK accepted the award on behalf of the Alliance. He said: “It’s brilliant to receive this award for all the effort the volunteers put in. We are all former patients and it’s satisfying to be able to provide empathy and support to other patients, their loved ones, and carers.”
Volunteers Services Manager Stephen Hamilton thanked all the volunteers for the exceptional help and care they provide.
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Notes to Editors:
For information or to arrange an interview, please contact the communications team on 020 8321 6342. Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/WestMidHospital
The hospital’s volunteer programme offers the chance to help patients and families, make friends, and explore healthcare careers. To find out how to join please visit the 'getting involved' section of our website.
You can also email volunteers@wmuh.nhs.uk for more information.
West Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust is a major acute hospital near Twickenham, West London. It provides a full range of services to residents of the London Boroughs of Hounslow and Richmond upon Thames. Our imperative is to meet the changing needs of our local community through genuine commitment to providing high quality care in every respect.
