IW NHS Trust Volunteers Service is highly commended for 'Innovation in Volunteering Award' at the Helpforce Champions Awards 2019, providing national recognition of their fantastic contribution to volunteering in the NHS.
The awards, which took place in central London on Friday 25 October, celebrate the exciting ways in which volunteers across the country are giving their time to benefit patients, staff, and communities.
The Isle of Wight NHS Trust Volunteers Service is highly commended for its work in attracting students to volunteering. By working closely and effectively with Isle of Wight schools and colleges, the trust has managed to recruit students as volunteers, seeing an increase in the confidence, skills and knowledge of the students. We are able to provide young people with a meaningful opportunity and patients also benefit because we have more volunteers in clinical areas showing care and compassion to patients and visitors. In the long term we have supported young people into a career with the NHS, and are tackling our recruitment challenges positively and proactively.
By shining a light on the range of ways that volunteers are involved in the NHS, the Helpforce Champions Awards show that dedicated volunteers can contribute to a more compassionate care system for everyone.
Mark Lever, Chief Executive of Helpforce, said:
“It is fantastic to see so many brilliant examples of innovation, great practice, commitment, and real passion for patient care and support for staff across the NHS in the UK. It is a privilege to hold these awards and celebrate volunteers across the UK.”
The categories celebrated at the awards are:
- Outstanding Volunteering Team of the Year
- Young Volunteer of the Year
- Volunteer of the Year
- Outstanding Staff Champion for Volunteers
- Volunteer Leader of the Year
- Partnership Working in Volunteering
- Innovation in Volunteering Award
- Celebrating Inclusion and Diversity in Volunteering
Helpforce is a national movement on a mission to improve the lives of NHS staff, patients and communities through the power of volunteering. It is working with hospitals and healthcare workers to help shape the future of volunteering in the NHS. Backed by leaders in the world of healthcare, it aims to make community-integrated healthcare the norm across the UK.
