Today (5 December), we join the global celebration of International Volunteer Day. This year’s theme, ‘Every Contribution Matters’, perfectly reflects the incredible dedication of our 400+ North Bristol NHS Trust Volunteers.
Our volunteers make a huge difference to our patients, carers and visitors, whether they give four hours a week, or two hours a month.
We have a few volunteers who are at school, others starting out in their careers and some are retired. And they support our services in a variety of ways, from our volunteer musicians, to our army of Move Makers, the League of Friends running their cafes at Southmead and Cossham and our Purple Butterfly volunteers, spending time with people at the end of their lives. We also have some furry four-legged volunteers and their owners who brighten up our patients’ days.
Since January, over 400 volunteers across 30+ roles, have given over 30,000 hours of their time to support us and we are grateful for all they do. Recently, we celebrated this amazing community at our Volunteer Thank You Celebration at BAWA. Thanks to BAWA and the League of Friends Southmead for their support of this event.
We welcomed more 100 volunteers, heard inspiring words from Ben, who began as a volunteer and is now a valued colleague, and celebrated our 57 Long Service Award winners for 2025. Bristol NHS Group Chief Nursing and Improvement Officer, Prof Steve Hams, was on hand to present awards along with Director of Quality Governance, Paul Cresswell. We were very grateful to Joel Smyth, a photography student at creative independent education provider Boomsatsuma, who volunteered his time to help us capture the celebrations.
Here are some photos of the event:
Meet some of our fantastic NBT volunteers:
Dainton is a young volunteer at only 12. His younger brother Quin is a frequent visitor of the Children’s Hospital but on a visit to Southmead they spotted a poster and saw someone playing the piano. Seeing how happy the music made people in the hospital and seeing his brother’s journey, Dainton decided to volunteer, and he is a big hit. Every time he does, someone comes over to speak. From a man waiting for his wife, amazed at seeing someone so young and enjoying the music while waiting, to a patient who had travelled far and was nervous but found listening to the piano relaxed and calmed him down. Hearing these stories shows how much of a difference our volunteer musicians really make.
Steve is a huge fan of the NHS. He has supported his daughter through many appointments including one in the first week the Brunel Building opened. Steve is very grateful for the support she has received from her care at Southmead over the years. Unfortunately, he also ended up needing our help nearly two years ago when it was discovered he had a blood clot on the brain. After two stays, big operations and long recoveries including spending Christmas and New Years here listening to the fireworks in the distance, he made a good recovery. Steve appreciated everyone here, from the staff member who washed the floor, the one who brought his food, the student nurse who provided very good hazelnut flavour coffee, the surgeons and everyone in between. When recuperating in hospital, Steve heard some live piano music, so went to have a look and discovered a volunteer musician. Having already decided he might try to return to Southmead as a Move Maker upon retiring, he did wonder whether they might let a guitarist like himself play in the foyer instead. He went to see Fresh Arts, who coordinate the musicians and is now one of our wonderful volunteers. Steve says it’s a small way to give something back to the hospital and it’s lovely to hear the comments from people passing and see staff stopping nearby on their lunch. It helps make a scary place a little nicer. Lastly, he does enjoy it when a porter has a little boogie as they are walking on by too!
Georgina is a member of staff at NBT and a wonderful volunteer musician. She spotted an email about the arts programme and signed up for a Christmas Music Marathon event. From this she learnt of the volunteer musician opportunity and hasn’t looked back. Georgina even volunteered right through the pandemic when many visitors couldn’t come on site. As a staff member, Georgina shares that volunteering gives her a break from her desk and boosts her wellbeing. It gives her an opportunity to keep up skills and play in front of others although she pretends it’s not a real audience to help! One time a visitor was sitting listening, unfortunately both her parents were in the hospital with one unfortunately passing a week prior. The visitor told Georgina she was playing one of their favourite pieces which was very special and comforting. Whilst our volunteers may think they are only making a little contribution, the impact on people can be massive!