Volunteers Week: 1 - 7 June 2021
Volunteers’ Week takes place between 1-7 June every year and is a time to recognise and thank volunteers. During an exceptionally difficult year, people from all walks of life around the UK have taken the time to volunteer and made a huge difference to people and their communities – just as they do every year.
As a thank you and a chance to celebrate the work our volunteers do, on the 22 June 2021, we'll be hosting our Annual Volunteer Celebration and Learning Event via Microsoft Teams. If you haven't received an invite via email but would like to attend, please email volunteers@gmmh.nhs.uk for an invite link.
We wanted to take this opportunity to thank the brilliant Volunteers Team here at Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (GMMH). We couldn't do it without them! Here are some lovely words from Claire Watson, Trust Lead for Service User/Carer Engagement, Volunteering and Recovery Academy:
"A big thank you to all our GMMH volunteers that have helped and supported the Trust to continue to deliver services during the last 12 months. Your time, dedication and enthusiasm to support us, our service users and carers during the pandemic has been invaluable. You are all GMMH Superstars!"
Chapman Barker Unit Volunteers
Here at the Chapman-Barker Unit (CBU), we have a long history of enjoying the invaluable input of volunteers from a range of backgrounds.
At present, we have 15 volunteers who each commit to between 2 and 15 hours involvement every week, meaning that we have volunteers available Monday to Saturday to provide additional support to our vulnerable patients. 10 of these volunteers have previously been CBU patient themselves so are able to provide excellent insight through their own lived experience and act as positive role models to people who are not as far along in their recovery journey.
8 of our volunteers have been with CBU for more than 2 years and continue to enhance the service through their commitment, empathy, and passion. CBU would definitely not be the same without our volunteers!
While all our volunteers enjoy their role for its own reward, many also make good use of their experience to progress into career opportunities. For example, two of our ex-volunteers are now in full-time paid posts within the therapy team and two current volunteers are also engaging in paid bank shifts through NHS Professionals with a third in the process of applying to join the bank. Many others have gone onto either paid employment elsewhere or full-time higher education.
We are very proud of the contribution our volunteers make to CBU and would encourage all mental health and substance misuse services to make the most of volunteers within inpatient and community-based services. - Sheila Wilson, Therapy Team Leader, Chapman Barker Unit
Moorside Unit Volunteers
“A big thank you to all of the volunteers at Moorside who have been so patient and committed over the last 16 months. We look forward to welcoming them back in June.” - Rhona Morrissey, Volunteer Co-ordinator, Moorside Unit
Meadowbrook Unit Volunteers
“It is always a pleasure to see our volunteers, they brighten up the place and patients are super grateful for their dedication. Our volunteers offer brilliant quizzes, board game sessions, creative writing and newspaper groups, as well as a weekly pool competition and a weekly relaxation session! They are full of enthusiasm and understanding and are always prepared to listen to patients, accommodate their needs and help them take their mind off the ward environment by engaging them in a range of activities. So to all Meadowbrook volunteers, thank you! We could not do it without you! It continues to be a pleasure and a privilege to work with you all!” - Kvetka Chadwick, Volunteer Co-ordinator, Meadowbrook Unit
The Meadowbrook Unit Volunteers were also nominated for a GMMH Staff and Volunteer Award last year, here are some of the lovely things that were said about the team:
“The team of volunteers here at Meadowbrook have been tirelessly working to make patient experience better, since we have started the service two years ago.
“Their contribution to the patient experience is invaluable here at Meadowbrook. Thank you to all the Meadowbrook Volunteers for helping us through the tough year.”
Wigan Multi Agency Personality Disorder Strategy (WMAS)
"A big thank you to all our WMAS Expert by Experience volunteers who have adapted brilliantly continuing to deliver our Co-Produced Personality Disorder Awareness and Skills training virtually over the last 12 months. Your commitment, dedication and enthusiasm to support the ongoing delivery of training to our health and multi-agency colleagues during the pandemic has been amazing and is massively appreciated." - Paula Slevin, Advanced Practitioner in Personality Disorder (Strategy Lead) , Wigan Multi Agency Personality Disorder Strategy
Rehabilitation Division Volunteers
"Thanks to our volunteers in the Rehabilitation Division for your commitment, enthusiasm and the variety of support you provide!
From crafts, to baking, to tai chi and peer support you all do a fantastic job and have an incredible impact on the recovery of our service users. We couldn’t do it without you!" - Cherelle Blythe, Occupational Therapist Rehabilitation Division
If you'd like to get involved and are thinking about volunteering here at GMMH, visit www.gmmh.nhs.uk/volunteering for more information.
