The amazing people who give up their time and energy to help have been recognised at a Teignmouth charity this week.
Volunteering In Health (VIH) held a ‘Winter Warmer’ celebration on Wednesday (November 20) to thank its volunteers for the contributions they make to the charity.
‘You are hugely important to us and we respect you so much,’ Volunteering in Health volunteering coordinator Annabelle Murray told the volunteers gathered at the event.
Volunteers were treated to mince pies, hot drinks and chocolate cake. Guest Viv Wilson MBE showed an updated version of her film on the history of Teignmouth Hospital, where Volunteering in Health is based.
Around 110 people actively volunteer for VIH in a variety of roles including drivers, befrienders, transport booking administrators and sitters for carer respite. There are even more volunteers who are currently unable to give their time due to other priorities or commitments, but who remain appreciated for giving what they can when they can.
‘It’s about connecting and being connected,’ Annabelle noted. Guests got the feeling this sentiment applied to both Volunteering in Health’s service users and volunteers.
Volunteering in Health is always keen to hear from anyone interested in joining their volunteer ranks. In particular, the charity is keen to speak to people who would like to become a driver for its hospital transport service.
The charity is seeing a much higher demand for its transport service and desperately needs new volunteer drivers to help it meet clients’ requirements.
To explain more about what is involved in being a volunteer driver, Volunteering in Health is holding a driver recruitment morning on Tuesday December 10 at its hub in Teignmouth Hospital.
Volunteering in Health was set up 15 years ago to combine the volunteer patient transport schemes of three GP surgeries. Since then, the charity has expanded its services and plays a vital role in helping people feel more involved in the community and supporting people as they are discharged from hospital.