Last year, the United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity launched a new campaign to find volunteers to help promote and support its rewarding and invaluable work.
With help from members of the public, local businesses, and community groups, the charity provides the additional extras to elevate the work of United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust (ULHT) that cannot be provided by the NHS.
Jo Burgess from Lincoln had already been volunteering at Lincoln County Hospital, when she heard about the opportunity to support the charity.
It also means that Jo gets to work again with Charity Fundraiser, Gary Burr. Jo had previously volunteered at another charity where Gary used to work.
Jo said: “I absolutely love volunteering. It is so rewarding and you meet so many amazing people. I love being able to help and support patients and staff at Lincoln County Hospital.
“This hospital and its wonderful staff have done so much to support me and my family over the years. I want to give something back and show my appreciation. Giving them a few hours of my time is nothing when you consider what they have done for me.”
Jo, 48, had originally hoped to be a nurse and completed the first two years of training when she was younger, before she became ill with chronic rheumatoid arthritis and had to stop.
She now volunteers for the Trust and can often be found in her yellow uniform helping patients to get to their appointments. She will now also volunteer four or five hours every week for the charity.
Jo added, “I am happy to do whatever I can to help the charity. I already get to see the massive difference they make and I am really proud to be a part of the team. If anything, I just wish I had found volunteering at the hospital sooner.”
Gary said, “I have known Jo for years and it is brilliant to be working alongside her again. She is a fantastic person and we are so lucky to have her volunteering with us. She will add so much to the role and I cannot think of a better person to be our first volunteer.”
The charity funds the extras not covered by NHS budgets. This has recently included:
- The purchase of scalp cooling caps to help reduce hair loss for patients undergoing chemotherapy.
- The purchase of a new interactive sensory play system for sick children.
- The purchase of a digital therapy system for elderly patients living with conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer’s that allows them to listen to music, watch old films and enjoy activities as part of their hospital recovery.
- The purchase of an interactive play scanner to help prepare children for a diagnostic test.
Gary added, “We are really ambitious in supporting patients and staff at Lincoln, Boston and Grantham hospitals. There has never been a better time to get involved.
“Volunteering is a great way to bring your skills, time, and enthusiasm to support our charity.”
Some of the tasks volunteers could get involved with are:
- Updating charity information around the hospital sites in Lincoln, Boston and Grantham and in the community.
- Promoting the charity’s work in the community at talks or bucket collections.
- Attending and supporting charity events, lending an extra pair of hands.
- Replenishing charity collection goblets in the community.
- Fundraising as part of a group.
Gary added, “It is such a rewarding opportunity and the chance to indirectly make a massive difference for patients and staff working in our hospitals.”
If you are interested in becoming a United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity volunteer please complete an application form that can be found on the charity website (Volunteering at ULHT (ulhcharity.org.uk)) or call the charity on 01522 572221 if you have any questions.