Volunteers Week—clapping for our volunteers during the pandemic

National Volunteers Week allows us to celebrate the extraordinary contribution of our volunteers new and old throughout the year and during the special circumstances of the pandemic. Almost 200 new volunteers stepped up to help our Trust alongside our regular supporters.

Many of our existing faithful volunteers were unable to support us at this time, with many shielding themselves on government advice, for example. 

During the pandemic our volunteers supported the Trust with delivering food parcels, supporting patients on wards and more in this time. Their contribution has been invaluable and, with existing volunteers, they support a wide array of activities across both hospital sites: 

• more than 6,000 hours of volunteering during the crisis response
• working across 9 wards at both sites, contributing more than 730 hours
• 40 flight crew from various airlines volunteered in staff wellness hubs across both sites
• We piloted volunteers with full support, training and PPE to befriend patients on the lower risk COVID-19 wards

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust regularly receives an enormous amount of support from the surrounding communities and our hospital charity CW+. It was impressive to have so many people step forward during this time.

Chelsea and Westminster Volunteer Ezekiel Tomlin said: “I was originally motivated by the COVID-19 pandemic, as I wanted to be of use to the NHS. Since my university had closed, I wanted to help in any way that I could. I also wanted to gain experience by working within the NHS.

“I found volunteering immensely rewarding. It was nice to be of use to the public during this stressful time. We all should pull our weight during the global crisis, whether that be simply staying at home or supporting essential workers. This is certainly something that I would want to do again and recommend to others.”

Nathan Askew (Director of Nursing) said: “I am humbled by the wonderful volunteers we have working alongside us at the Trust. They all without exception give their time generously to ensure that we have more help and support for our patients, their families and staff. We have a wonderful team who range from being with us for a few weeks, assisting us with the recent COVID-19 outbreak, to those volunteers who have been giving their time generously for more than 30 years. The hospital literally could not function without them.

“There are many reasons why people choose to volunteer at our organisation—whatever the reason, the time that is given is so valuable and has helped us really change the way we work and ensure that our patients get the additional care they need. I am so grateful for everything they do, thank you!”

Our community have given us generous donations and support throughout. Our volunteers are a vital part of our workforce, keeping our hospital services supported to run more smoothly. We appreciate and thank each and every one who has taken the time to volunteer with us. Help us to celebrate them.