Festive brunches to thank volunteers at Bassetlaw Hospital

More than 200 helpers give up their time each year to support the staff, patients and visitors at all the hospitals run by the Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals Trust.

So the trust thought it would be a good idea to organise the brunches as an extra Christmas gift to show how the volunteers are appreciated.

Suzy Brain, the chair of the trust’s board, attended the brunches to personally thank the volunteers.

She said: “We rely upon them to provide assistance where we otherwise cannot. Their compassion and dedication to the trust are impressive.

“They support thousands of patients, who pass through the doors every day. We always appreciate this vital contribution, especially around Christmas time when we dedicate more time to seeing our friends and family.”

Among the volunteers who went along to one of the brunches were Brigitte Williams and Irene Newby, who help on the main reception desk at Bassetlaw Hospital. Between them, they have volunteered at the trust for 31 years.

They said: “It was a lovely event, and great to see so many of our colleagues together, catching up and enjoying the festivities.

“We love our roles on main reception, greeting our patients and visitors as they arrive at the hospital and helping them.

“Whether it’s directing them to a department or ward, or organising taxis for our patients to get home, we get so much fulfilment and joy out of the role.”

Helping out on wards and in clinics and libraries, to name just a few areas, volunteers are often the first contact patients and visitors have. They contribute a staggering total of 38,000 hours annually at the trust’s three hospitals.

One vital role they play is to provide comfort and company to patients in their final moments. These ‘Butterfly Volunteers’ are trained to sit and talk to patients or offer respite to the patients’ loved ones.