Solent NHS Trust celebrates its dedicated volunteers this National Volunteers’ Week
1-7 June is National Volunteers’ Week and Solent NHS Trust is using the opportunity to showcase the brilliant work its volunteers in Basingstoke do.
Sue Harriman, Chief Executive, Solent NHS Trust, said: “Over the last year, the coronavirus pandemic has seen the NHS face unprecedented challenges, and the work of Solent’s volunteers who give their time generously to enhance the lives of patients and their families in our communities, has never been more apparent.
“We are so proud of the work of our longstanding and regular volunteers, as well as those who have come on board to support the rollout of our four large-scale COVID-19 vaccination centres. Every volunteer makes a positive difference to those who access our services through to supporting people in receiving their COVID-19 vaccine. All in all, volunteers brilliantly contribute to keeping more people across Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight healthy, safe and independent at, or close to, home.”
Arabella Zamoyska (pictured) is a volunteer at Solent’s large-scale vaccination centre at Basingstoke Fire Station, and shares what volunteering means to her.
Arabella explained: “I do six days at the vaccine centre and it has transformed my mental health, it’s changed so much of my life and they are an absolutely amazing bunch of people. I log on every day and book as many shifts as I can because I know I’m going to wake up and look forward to it. I cannot praise the Basingstoke Vaccination Centre enough, they have been so kind to me. There is such a camaraderie and such a good spirit there. Volunteering has always been so important to me, but I never thought that this vaccination centre would become such a major part of my life.”
Sue Harriman continued: “We extend a huge thank you to our partners across the voluntary sector. They are by our side every step of the way in helping us provide the very best care and support to those who need our help and services, and we are really proud to have all of our volunteers in the Solent family.”
If like Arabella, you are looking for a way to make a difference to your community and help those in need, why not join our team of volunteers? Please visit https://recruitment.solent.nhs.uk/your-career/volunteers/ to find out more and get involved.