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Celebrating our Volunteers!In June, we recognised Volunteers’ Week - an annual celebration of the contribution that millions of people make across the UK through volunteering. At ASPH we are really lucky to have a fantastic group of volunteers who I’m sure many of you will have worked with or spoken to over the years. They are so dedicated and supportive, and they selflessly give up many hours of their own time to help us. Due to the restrictions of the pandemic, we’ve not been able to celebrate these great people over the last couple of years, so we were delighted to be able to come together recently and hold a volunteers celebratory afternoon tea. |
The tea was held at Brook Restaurant in Weybridge and since it coincided with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, it was also an opportunity for belated celebrations to mark this, with attendees encouraged to dress in red, white, and blue, with tiaras and jewels!
The event was funded by a very generous donation from Mr Jaykant Shah of the Brinda Jaykant Shah Foundation, which was set up in memory of Mr Shah’s wife. The Foundation is working with some select causes with the aim of helping to make the world a better place. Unfortunately, Mr Shah was sadly unable to join us for these celebrations but was represented by two of his relatives on the day.
During the event, Andy Brown, Staff Governor for Volunteers, introduced a short video that showcased one of the projects the Foundation had supported to help transform a school in Moksi, in Gujarat, India.
Those who attended the event were gifted a Boots goody bag and a beautiful handmade thank you card from some of the local nurseries and schools in Surrey.
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We were also joined by Andy Field, Chairman, who extended his personal message of thanks. Andy said: “I’d like to thank the patient experience and volunteers’ team for allowing us to attend this very special event. It was so lovely to see so many of our wonderful volunteers in person once again and to meet some new faces! Our volunteers are such valued members of Team ASPH, and we cannot thank them enough for all that they do for our patients and colleagues.”
I’m delighted to have had the opportunity to meet with so many of our volunteers and to be a part of their belated Volunteers Week and Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
Huge thanks to Jo Rockett, Claire Atkinson, and the other members of the Patient Experience and Involvement team for putting on such a fabulous event, and also to our volunteers for the support and dedication they give to our hospitals - please always recognise how great you are!
With very best wishes,
Julie Smith
Chief Executive
