RD&E Hospital celebrates hard working volunteers

The contribution made by an army of volunteers at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital has been celebrated during national Volunteers Week (1st-12th June). 

The annual celebration, which is organised by NCVO, celebrates the vital contribution volunteers make to our communities every day.

The RD&E currently has over 300 volunteers who give up approximately 1750 hours of their time a month to help support the hospital’s staff, patients and visitors. They play a vital role in helping to improve patient experience, enabling frontline, clinical and nursing staff to focus on providing patient care. 

Volunteers make a difference in a range of roles across the Trust including assisting patients attending clinics, running the ‘trolley shop’ on the wards, providing support to the chaplaincy team and even assisting clinical staff with audits. Many volunteers also come from external partners such as the RVS, FORCE Cancer Charity, the Exeter Leukaemia Fund (ELF), Hospital Radio Exeter and the League of Friends.  

During Volunteers Week, their contribution to the Trust was celebrated at a special afternoon tea hosted by Chairman James Brent and the Board. The celebration was held in the Oasis restaurant and was attended by around 100 volunteers. The event’s special guests enjoyed an impressive spread of sandwiches and cream tea, whilst chatting with fellow volunteers, members of the Board.

Chairman James Brent said: “Our volunteers are a real asset to the Trust and they make a real difference to our patients and staff. They help to make the RD&E a friendlier and more welcoming place and we really value their contribution to the running of this hospital. I am delighted to host this tea party to thank them for their hard work and dedication over the past year.”

To find out more about volunteering at the RD&E visit www.rdehospital.nhs.uk/patients/help/volunteers.html , email rde-tr.volunteers@nhs.net  or leave a message on 01392 406058.