3 December 2020

Saturday 5 December 2020 marks International Volunteers Day, which celebrates the power of volunteering and the contribution volunteers make to their communities.

Our CNWL Volunteer Service Team would like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to all the amazing volunteers at CNWL, who have all given up their free time to support our patients, service users and staff.

In only 2020, the Trust welcomed over 430 volunteers! And the impact is clear to be seen.

Cate Latto, our One Community Radio and Service User and Carer Engagement Lead at St Charles Hospital said:

“I have been part of the push to recruit and place volunteers on the wards at St Charles Mental Health Unit for two years now and it has been so satisfying and rewarding and very moving to see the impact they have had for our patients and carers and staff” 

One volunteer at St Charles, Gilat, has had the following to say on their experience as a volunteer:

"I signed up for volunteering. I was not sure what to expect, what was needed and whether I could of any help. What patients really need, I have learnt, is someone to befriend them. Simply to talk, and listen. The patients are lovely and full of life and eager to talk about their life and their feelings. Especially now, when visits from family and friends are obviously more difficult, I could see how eager they are to talk. I already found it very rewarding." 

If you or someone you know wants to be part of the CNWL’s volunteer family – the Volunteer Services Team is ready and waiting!

You can reach us on cnwl.volunteer@nhs.net or speak to Nuria De Miguel who is the Volunteer Services Manager nuria.demiguel@nhs.net 

Happy International Volunteers Day, to you all!