Hospital volunteers in Bradford rewarded for their efforts at awards ceremony

More than 500 volunteers give up 104,000 hours of their own time every year to work in a variety of roles at Bradford Teaching Hospitals helping and supporting patients.

This year it was two volunteers – and a dog - who picked up the Volunteer of the Year award at The Bradford Hotel, formerly The Hilton.

Pets as Therapy and stroke unit volunteer Paul Knowles, his greyhound Robbie and neo-natal volunteer Naz Rafiq shared joint first prize at the thank-you ceremony yesterday.

Paul, 64, and Robbie the greyhound volunteer weekly on wards F3, F5 and F6 at St Luke’s Hospital and Ward 9 at the Bradford Royal Infirmary. They were nominated by tea-bar volunteer Audrey Jamieson and volunteer guide Pauline Robinson for their “kindness and generosity.”

Mrs Jamieson said: “Paul battles with his own disability, having had a stroke himself some years ago, but has become a well-known, well-liked volunteer around the hospital.

“He, along with his faithful four-legged friend, Robbie, regularly visits the stroke unit and three wards at St Luke’s, bringing help and a cheerful presence to the patients there.

“He visits other parts of the hospital introducing Robbie - always ready for a hug and a pat - and bringing a smile to both children and adults with his chat and entertaining stories.”

BLISS volunteer, Naz Rafiq, 44, was nominated by senior sister of the BRI’s neonatal unit Susie Minchella and trust charity fundraiser, Hayley Collis for her work in helping and supporting the parents and families of babies born prematurely.

Mrs Minchella said: “Having gone through the tragedy of a personal loss of a baby herself, Naz now volunteers with BLISS at BRI neonatal department giving peer support to new parents with premature babies.

"She also volunteers at conferences to speak about her own experience and how she has coped. Over and above this role, Naz tirelessly tries to think of ways she can help fundraise for the neonatal unit by putting her cake baking skills to good use and hosting bake sales to raise much-needed funds.

"She also works in the local community to garner some wonderful support for Bradford Hospitals Charity and the fantastic work they do – she is a true ambassador for both charities and the unit.”

Second prize went to experienced Ear Trust volunteer, Breeda Barry, 70, who was nominated by Professor Chris Raine for her work at the BRI’s Listening for Life Centre and for her pivotal role in the Ear Trust charity, supporting the work of the Yorkshire Cochlear Implant Service and the ear nose and throat department.

Prof Raine said: "Never daunted, she never misses the opportunity to promote the department and hospital.

"Her networking skills have established loyal contacts to help not only the Ear Trust, but also others within the hospital."

Third place went to chaplaincy volunteer Terry Kershaw, 63, who was singled out by BRI Ward 26’s manager Marianne Downey for his infectious, joyful mood.

She said: “When Terry visits the ward he brightens the environment. He has a lovely personality that is non-intrusive but you feel he really cares about the support he is giving and this shows with the relations he builds with our long-term patients and nursing team.

“When he is unable to visit you really miss his presence and the team and patients will enquire about him. As the ward manager, I class Terry as one of my team and I feel very privileged and proud to have such a dedicated volunteer. The nature of our ward can be very sad as patients go through some life-changing experiences.

"Terry, I feel, makes a huge difference psychologically; supporting the patients through some quite traumatic and life altering experiences.”

All the winners received a glass plaque, a certificate and gifts infront of an audience of about 250 volunteers, staff, executive directors and governors of the Foundation Trust.

Awards were also given out to 47 volunteers with five, ten, 15, 20 and 25 years’ service at the event, hosted by Foundation Trust chairman, Professor Lord Kamlesh Patel of Bradford, and chief executive, Professor Clive Kay.

Two special awards were presented to Philip Barfield, of St Luke’s Sound Hospital Radio, who has been a volunteer for 35 years and Daphne Pinder, 81, of the Fiends of the Bradford Royal Infirmary, who has served as a volunteer guide for 40 years.

Volunteers represented a wide range of roles including those who act as way finders, reception helpers, patient supporters, tea bar assistants, child play assistants, chaplaincy visitors, ward trolley service personnel, patient questionnaire volunteers and hospital radio DJs.

Other volunteers honoured were play assistants Elizabeth Austin, Mary Sinclair and Beth Edwards, tea bar and ward trolley volunteers Shirley Barker, Jennifer Smith, Pat Crompton, Jean Nutter, Freda Ward, Jean Ingham and Audrey Jamieson, chaplaincy volunteers David Hedley, Brenda Lund and Mohammed Shafique, hospital guides Brian O’Neil and Hasu Patel and patient Support volunteer at St Luke's Anthony Yan.

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