Volunteers' Week - a huge 'Thank you'

Volunteers' Week is an annual celebration of the contribution millions of people make across the UK through volunteering.

It goes without saying that volunteers have never been so important to our NHS.

So, we would like to take this opportunity to say a huge 'Thank you' to all of our volunteers, whether they are helping us out through our Voluntary Services Department, the wonderful Leagues of Friends on all our hospital sites, or working with Oxford Hospitals Charity to support our patients and our staff.

Volunteers are vital to the charities Supporting the Sick Newborn and their Parents (SSNAP), Sobell House Hospice, Katharine House Hospice and the OUH Chaplaincy, and we would also want to thank our Council of Governors, all of whom have taken on their roles on a voluntary basis.

Over the last year and particularly at peak times of COVID-19, volunteers have been the backbone of our efforts to support our staff while they care for patients in our hospitals. We have had an amazing team of willing hands working with the charity and Trust at each hospital site through the most difficult days.

Volunteers have always been a wonderful addition to our workforce across all of our hospital sites. Many come to help us on a weekly basis and give their time freely to help others.

Volunteers have helped distribute PPE, staff help desks, and raise funds through selling refreshments and other helpful items in Leagues of Friends shops and cafés, with money raised spent on equipment to enhance patient care.

Our hospital radio stations, Radio Cherwell and Radio Horton, are run entirely by an extremely dedicated and passionate group of enthusiasts, on an entirely voluntary basis. 

Terry Roberts, Chief People Officer said: "During Volunteers Week I would like to say a huge thank you to our wonderful volunteers who provide that extra support to allow us to provide excellent care and look after our staff."