Celebrating our amazing volunteers this Volunteers’ Week!
Posted on: 2 Jun 2025
This Volunteers’ Week (2nd–8th June 2025), we’re shouting from the rooftops about the incredible difference our volunteers make – and this year, we’ve got more reasons than ever to celebrate!
Over the past year, we’ve been supported by more volunteers than ever before, who have given their time, energy and kindness to help us raise funds and support patients and staff across Nottingham’s NHS hospitals. Together, they’ve contributed more hours than ever – more than three times what we saw last year!
Whether it’s welcoming visitors at our Charity Hub at Queen’s Medical Centre, representing us at fundraising events, or turning up with a smile to say thank you to generous donors, our volunteers are the heart of everything we do.
Thanks to our growing team, the Charity Hub at QMC is now open most weekdays – a huge milestone we’re so excited about. Entirely staffed by volunteers, the Hub has become a welcoming space for staff, patients and visitors alike. Whether it’s a friendly face behind the till or someone helping with information and advice, the Hub is a little pocket of positivity – and that’s all thanks to our volunteers.
To say thank you, every single one of our volunteers is receiving a personal note of appreciation from our Chief Executive, Nigel Gregory. And for those who help at the Hub, we’re hosting a special celebration event right where the magic happens.
Big wins and well-deserved recognition
It’s not just us who think our volunteers are amazing – this year they’ve been recognised far and wide!
Will Dakers, one of our fantastic volunteers and a student at Nottingham Trent University, won the Jamie Marshall Award, an award that recognises the outstanding contributions NTU students make and is awarded based on specific characteristics that they have embodied: kindness, resilience, supportive nature, and a sense of fun.
We couldn’t be prouder of Will and the incredible hard work he puts in to help us here at the Charity – you can find out more about Will’s win here.
Our volunteers even rubbed shoulders with royalty after being invited to Buckingham Palace as a thank you for their outstanding service, like Chitra Achayra who attended a garden party in May.
Chitra, who works at NUH is one of our incredible fundraisers, charity ambassadors and volunteers who runs regular staff wellbeing workshops like Bollywood dance sessions, which are popular across NUH!
Jackie Rowell, one of our longest-serving volunteers, was a finalist at the NUH People First Awards in 2024. Over 900 people were nominated, and Jackie was a shortlisted in the Volunteer of the Year category, for the positive and lasting impact she creates across Nottingham’s NHS hospitals.
Some of our team have been nominated for the 2025 BBC Make a Difference Awards too – stay tuned, we’ve got our fingers crossed!
Meet some of our team
We’re always inspired by the stories behind why people choose to volunteer with us.
Ian Newman, who joined us just this May, shared how volunteering has helped him reconnect after time out of work.
“I was starting to feel quite isolated,” Ian told us.
“I wanted to use my time to help others – and to help myself get back into the swing of meeting people and feeling part of something. Volunteering has really given me that. I love seeing people pop into the Hub and pick something up that’ll make their hospital visit just a little bit better.”
Award winner Will, was inspired by his mum to volunteer with us. "Charity is a big part of my life, my mum does a lot of charity work, and I was inspired by her.” He said. “I had a great opportunity through university to either complete an industry placement or volunteer, and I chose to volunteer.
"The NHS helps so many people, and playing my part in helping to support the hospital and give back is really rewarding. My advice to anyone considering volunteering is to just do it!"
Neiva and Joseph have been volunteering with us for the past 7 years, as a mother and son duo, it’s something they enjoy doing together.
“We’ve been volunteering with NUH for 7 years to give back for all the support we’ve received from the NHS. It feels good to help others, listen to their experiences, and share ours. Volunteering has become a family journey too - our eldest son, who is autistic, joins us and learns how meaningful and fun it can be to support others.
“Joseph especially loves cheering on the runners at the Robin Hood Marathon, where we've helped as marshals for several years. We always say: just have a go! You’ll meet amazing people, learn new skills, and truly see how much it can change your life.“
Want to Join Us?
If you’ve ever thought about volunteering, we’d love to welcome you. Whether you’ve got a few hours a week or just want to help occasionally, there’s a place for you here and we promise you’ll be making a real difference.
Find out more about volunteering with us: www.nottinghamhospitalscharity.org.uk
To every single one of our volunteers – thank you. You are the reason we can do what we do. Happy Volunteers’ Week!