Southend Hospital’s volunteers achievement awards
12 June 2016
Volunteering
More than 140 volunteers at Southend Hospital were thanked for all their hard work at the third annual volunteer achievement awards on Wednesday 8 June.
The event honours long-standing volunteers and also recognises
the contribution of relative newcomers who have gone the extra
mile. The evening also acted as a thank-you party and was held at
Saxon Hall, Aviation Way, Southend.
Awards were given out by hospital chairman Alan Tobias and chief
executive Sue Hardy. Mr Tobias told the assembled audience that he
felt 'humbled' by their contribution. "You just cannot put a price
on what you do - this hospital couldn't function without you," he
added.
Sue Hardy, chief executive, said: "Southend Hospital has over
450 volunteers who all provide dedication and support to the
hospital, helping patients, visitors and staff alike. It's always a
privilege to meet them around the hospital and to see so many of
them at the awards ceremony."
Volunteer Achievement Award Winners
Lifetime Achievement Award, the late Joyce Long MBE(presented by
Alan to Joyce's daughter, Angela Alden)
Awarded posthumously to champion fundraiser Joyce Long, who
sadly died in December.Over the years, Joyce raised £1.5 million
virtually single-handedly for Southend Hospital.
She's perhaps most famous for her 'pop-up' shops that raked in
the cash for a whole list of hospital appeals, including the
leukaemia unit appeal, bosom pals appeal, keyhole cancer
appeal and many more. Over the years she helped buy Southend's
first eye laser machine, a CT scanner and MRI scanner and bought
many pieces of much-needed equipment for individual wards and
departments.
In memory of Joyce's incredible legacy, we are naming our best
fundraiser award in her name. This accolade will be known as
theJoyce Long Fundraising Achievement Award.
Roger Bassett, 74, Thorpe Bay, The Joyce Long Fundraising
Achievement Award 2016
Roger is described by his nominee, fundraising manager Kayley
Fletcher, as approachable but authoritative, kind, calmly spoken,
reassuring and very efficient.
He is chairman of CADGERS, the urological cancer support group,
they have always been massive supporters of Southend Hospital, and
most recently the group donated £7,372 to purchase a new treatment
couch for our new Brachytherapy Suite. Roger is also as a volunteer
at the Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Centre, a centre
which he played a part in creating.
Sandra Lowe, 66, Westcliff, volunteer, old main entrance
information desk volunteer - Best Newcomer Award
Although she has been in post less than a year, Sandra has
already become part of the team. She is witty, able to read people
and her knowledge of the hospital, which has come in part through
her own health battles - she is four years clear from throat cancer
- is excellent.
She goes out of her way to put patients and visitors at ease
when they arrive, is very funny, full of banter, and always
cheerful. She is an asset to the hospital.
Marilyn Glass, 65, Shoebury, Feeding Buddy - 'Happy to Help'
Award
Marilyn has been a feeding buddy for five years and during that
time has always gone the extra mile. She is an excellent teacher,
and has trained up dozens of new recruits. Her warm and nurturing
nature make her the ideal person to show nervous newcomer the
ropes.
Anthony Burton, 79, Westcliff, Unsung Hero Award
Tony is a very conscientious and valuable driver to our renal
dialysis patients. When the renal unit has a need for a driver at
short notice he is always obliging, going out of his way to ensure
the patient is accommodated. Tony also regularly assists with the
driver rotas, essential to the smooth running of the renal dialysis
unit.
Bob Smith, 78, Leigh, and John Rodgers, 79, Southend, gardeners,
Chairman's Award
This is a joint award for two men who prove that age is no
barrier to keeping active and doing great stuff. They are often
found out and about at the front of the hospital, digging, weeding
and planting the beds at the Cardigan Wing end of the hospital.
Bob has been a volunteer for seven years, and the pair struck up
an instant friendship when John joined as a gardener five years
ago; they are now a dynamic duo.
Dementia Befriender Group Award
Trophy presented to Millie Bealing, representing the team
Being a dementia befriender is one of the toughest volunteer
placements in the hospital. You might spend one hour with one
patient one week; you might go to the ward the next week to find
most patients asleep or no-one wanting to talk.
Long-term volunteers, who act as 'mentors' to new recruits, all
have a professional health or social care background. The trust is
fortunate enough to have several new starters who have a sound
knowledge of this debilitating condition from their previous roles
or life experience.
It's an exciting time to be a dementia befriender. The launch of
the new dementia appeal to equip out two day rooms for dementia
patients means we will need even more in order to assist staff with
a series of activities to keep these patients engaged and
comfortable.
Long service awards
This group of volunteers perform a vital role. They are often
the patient's first experience of our hospital, whether it is
driving the patient to their appointment, or giving them directions
when they get here, important at what can be an anxious time.
Clive Seldon, 76, Shoebury, voluntary Carecars driver
Clive joined the hospital's voluntary driving scheme, Carecars
in 2005. Over the years he has driven thousands of patients to
their hospital outpatient appointments and picked them up again. He
is known for his quiet charm and discretion.
Ronnie Emery, 71, Thundersley, fundraising and charity shop
volunteer
Ronnie's background in running a clothes shop for ten years -
children's shop Clobber in Leigh - provided invaluable when the
fundraising department started its first charity shop in 2012. She
transferred to the Leigh shop two years ago, where she helps out
every Monday. She is popular, energetic and enthusiastic.
Gina Stenhouse, 79, Shoebury, breast unit volunteer
Gina joined the tower block information desk in 2001 After four
years she then volunteered at the blood clinic at Thorpedene clinic
in Thorpe Bay, before joining the women's clinic in 2008, where
staff describe her as 'an asset to the team.'
Angela Mason, Leigh, chemotherapy unit volunteer
The grandmother-of-three has been a volunteer for 14 years,
first as a clerical volunteer on Blenheim ward and since 2008 in
the chemotherapy unit, where she prepares files for clinic, files
notes and runs errands.
Barry Nichols, 73, Westcliff, radiotherapy/rehab area
volunteer
Barry can be found in the radiotherapy department every Tuesday,
where he directs patients and helps staff with admin tasks.
Victoria Lee, a radiotherapy department manager, said: "Barry has
been a helpful and reliable fixture in the department."
Barbara Tuff, 78, Shoebury, volunteer, eye unit
The grandmother-of-four became a volunteer at the eye unit 15
years ago, and still volunteers two to three times a week. "She is
dedicated, very good at what she does and is very likeable," says
SBWO volunteer manager Karen Carter-Blake.
Sheila Ditton, 81, Thorpe Bay, blood clinic volunteer,
Thorpedene Clinic, Thorpe Bay(unable to attend)
Sheila has been at the hospital's Thorpedene clinic in Thorpe
Bay for the past 13 years. She greets patients, checks them in and
answers any non-clinical queries. She has almost 30 years of
volunteer experience under her belt, as a WRVS volunteer and then
at a mother-and-baby clinic.
Teresa Gabbitas, urology outpatients volunteer(unable to
attend)
Known throughout the urology department as Resa, this former
nurse has been using her previous experience to great effect since
becoming a volunteer in 2005. She wanted to be placed somewhere
busy - and she has never looked back.
Pam Law, 78, Southend, urology outpatient volunteer(unable to
attend)
Pam has been a strong supporter of the hospital for the past 18
years, joining WRVS before becoming a volunteer on Castle Point
ward, assisting the ward clerk. Six years later she moved to
urology outpatients, where this popular member of the team has been
ever since.
To find out more about becoming a volunteer please contact Jane
O'Connell, voluntary services manager, on 01702 435555 ext 6135 or
email volunteers@southend.nhs.uk