Murray MacGregor – Monday 5th June 2023 – 9.00am.
They come from every corner of the region; the number of careers they come from is almost incalculable; but what they all do is help others in their own communities; they are our volunteers!
During National Volunteers Week, we want to take the time to pay tribute to the extraordinary work they do on a daily basis.
As a Trust, we are lucky to be supported by thousands of volunteers. From the hundreds who have taken the time to train and respond as community first responder; the people who support our non-emergency patient transport service as voluntary car drivers; our Trust Governors who represent the public and staff; the BASICS emergency doctors and nurses who respond to the most serious incidents; the 4×4 response drivers who help during bad weather; to those that support the two air ambulance charities that cover our region, we say ‘thank you’.
Anthony Marsh, Trust Chief Executive, said: “We are so very fortunate to benefit from the spare time you have that you gift to us to help the Trust. Hundreds have stepped forward and continued to assist WMAS during what has been the toughest year for the NHS.
“While the past 12 months have been extraordinarily challenging, it is the strength, dedication and resilience of our volunteers and staff that has ensured we have continued to deliver the best patient care, in the safest possible way.
“I also want to note the incredible work of the staff within our Trust who volunteer their time to help their colleagues; people like our SALS (Staff Advice and Liaison Service) team who play a vital role in supporting staff in a whole range of challenging situations. Equally, our Health and Wellbeing champions, Freedom to Speak Up advocates, the Diversity Champions, Mental Health First Aiders and Menopause Champions. I also want to mention our two Chaplains Vanetta Griffith and Mohammed Asad and the five staff networks (Proud; Women’s; Military; ONE; and Disability Carers and Advocates). Together you provide vital support to your colleagues for which I am truly grateful.
“While we celebrate the work of our volunteers, I hope that this National Volunteers Week, even more people take the time to think what they could do to help the communities they live in.
“One of the most important things you could do is learn how to carry cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and find out where your nearest public access defibrillator is sited.
“If someone has a cardiac arrest, for every minute that the heart is not beating and you aren’t breathing, your survival rate reduces by 10%! The definitive treatment is good and early CPR and defibrillation which is why it’s crucial that people learn these life-saving skills and know where their nearest public defibrillator is. You never know when these skills will be needed, but if you have them, you could truly become a lifesaver.”
This National Volunteers Week, we encourage everyone to thank and sing the praises of the volunteers in your area by using the hashtag #VolunteersWeek.
To all our volunteers, thank you.
Ends