Our volunteers gave more than 10,000 hours of their spare time in the last year to help our staff and patients.

Last week we celebrated the work of our 340 amazing volunteers with events throughout Volunteers Week (Monday 2 June to Sunday 8 June).

We hosted tea and coffee events at both our hospitals as well as a quiz night in Romford to say thank you for everything they do.

Our volunteers carry out a variety of duties, from making tea and coffee to comforting patients and their families in challenging times, and can be identified by their purple aprons and uniforms.

We spoke to a few of our volunteers including Jacky, Kay and Yezdi (a.k.a Les, pictured above with Chief Nurse Nic Kane) to ask them about what they do.

Pauline has been volunteering on Clementine A ward at Queen's Hospital.

She said:

I started because after my husband died, I wanted to give a little bit back, and I feel as if I've been able to do that. I've been very welcomed in the wards and I feel good after I leave.

Ellen Haynes, from our volunteering team, said:

The compassion and dedication of our volunteers make a real difference to our patients and staff every day and we’re so grateful for all of the time they give to support our patients.