The hard work and dedication of volunteers who have clocked up a combined 460 years’ of service to Nottingham’s hospitals was celebrated this afternoon at a special awards ceremony.

Taking place during National Volunteers’ Week, which runs from 1 – 7 June, the volunteer Long Service Awards were a chance to say thank you to the longest-serving volunteers at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH).

Over 40 volunteers who give up their time and lend their skills to NUH, across the Queen’s Medical Centre (QMC), Nottingham City Hospital and Ropewalk House, mark 5 to 25 years’ of service to the Trust and Nottingham’s NHS this year.

Today’s event, which took place at Nottingham’s Crowne Plaza, recognised the outstanding dedication of these volunteers and was an opportunity to thank them for their exceptional support that they provide to the patients, staff and visitors of Nottingham’s hospitals.

Jean Robinson, who has been volunteering on Ward B26 at QMC for ten years, said: “I really enjoy volunteering – I try and go out every day but I look forward to Thursdays when I volunteer. It’s like a family here that I haven’t got at home – they look out for me during tough times and have even bought me flowers when I’ve been going through difficulties.”

Martin Perry, one of NUH’s meet and greet volunteers, added: “I keep volunteering because I feel part of a team and I think we fulfil a really important role in the hospital. I never begrudge a second I spend volunteering – I get up at 6:30am every Friday and look forward to my morning’s work.”

Tracy Taylor, NUH Chief Executive, said: “We are incredibly proud of all of our volunteers for their hard work and dedication to Team NUH. We have over 1500 volunteers who often go above and beyond to contribute to our hospitals and play a significant role in making it the special place that it is for many patients, visitors, and staff. Many of our volunteers go above and beyond and these awards are a great opportunity to say thank you for the time they give to our hospitals.”

The Trust’s Volunteer Long Service Awards were made possible thanks to support from QMC League of Friends and the City League of Friends, which are run entirely by volunteers. You can find out more about the Leagues and how you can get involved here.

To get involved with volunteering opportunities at NUH, visit: https://www.nuh.nhs.uk/volunteering