Dorset HealthCare celebrates National Volunteers’ Week

13th June 2019

Cake, laughter yoga, wellbeing tips, pass the parcel and a therapy dog all contributed to making Dorset HealthCare’s celebration for volunteers a roaring success.

Around 75 volunteers, who help out in a range of Dorset HealthCare services round the county, gathered at The Crown Hotel in Blandford as part of National Volunteers’ Week.

As well as enjoying an impressive array of cake and fruit, attendees listened to tips for supporting their health and wellbeing from Livewell Dorset. There was also a pass the parcel game, with water bottles as prizes, plus a lively, infectious laughter yoga session which left everyone feeling positive.

Trust Chair Andy Willis paid tribute to the incredible role volunteers play in supporting our community hospitals and services. He said afterwards:

“Our brilliant volunteers add so much value by helping improve the experience patients have in our services. They’re an amazing group of people who give so much and I’m delighted we have this opportunity to thank them.”

One unusual and very popular volunteer was Daisy, a ‘Pets as Therapy’ dog who brings cheer to our patients, especially those who have been in hospital for some time. She was brought along by her owner Barbara Borwell.

Volunteer Eileen Walters said: “It really has been fabulous and it’s so nice to feel we are valued.”

Kim Mansbridge, Trust Volunteer Development Lead and event organiser, said:

“It’s always such a privilege to arrange this annual event – our volunteers mean so much to us. They give us the gift of their time for the good of our patients and the NHS and it makes such a difference. We are so grateful for everything they do for us and it was wonderful to see everyone relaxed and enjoying themselves.”

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