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Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Volunteers thrilled to receive prestigious Queen’s Award from His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of South Yorkshire

Volunteers at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust have been presented The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service which is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and is equivalent to an MBE.

Volunteers were presented with the award by His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of South Yorkshire, Professor Dame Hilary Chapman, at a ceremony at the Northern General Hospital. The Award was designed to recognise outstanding work by local volunteer groups to benefit their communities. It has been awarded to Sheffield Hospitals Volunteers in recognition of the incredible support they provide to patients and staff but also for going above and beyond to support the COVID-19 vaccination programme.

The volunteers service, which is part funded by supporters of Sheffield Hospitals Charity, currently has 300 plus volunteers aged between 16 and 86. They undertake a variety of roles, including helping with music and art ward activities, welcomers at entrances to help people find their way to wards and departments, pharmacy runners collecting medicines for patients being discharged, Vaccination Stewards, Active Response volunteers and Outpatients volunteers.

Many volunteers often gain employment within the Trust or use their experience to progress in their chosen careers within the NHS.

Lord Lieutenant of South Yorkshire, Professor Dame Hilary Chapman, said, “The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Services is the highest award that can be bestowed upon local volunteer groups, recognising outstanding work to benefit their communities and this is a particularly special award as it was awarded in Her late Majesty’s platinum Jubilee year. I have been reminded about the utter breadth and spread of roles you undertake as Volunteers and you have shown such enormous flexibility in the roles you undertake.”

Kirsten Major, Chief Executive at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are absolutely thrilled that our volunteers have been recognised by this prestigious award. As well as all the brilliant support they have provided to our hospitals across the years, the way they have stepped up to a new challenge over the last few years has been remarkable. They have shown incredible commitment in helping us, despite challenges due to COVID-19, and have most recently played a vital part in supporting our vaccination programme. Their flexibility, willingness to adapt and unstinting dedication has been extraordinary and we are very lucky to have them as part of our team.”

Emma Scott, Voluntary Services Manager, said, “I am delighted that our wonderful volunteers have been recognised by receiving this prestigious award. Their support is highly valued by the organisation and I never fail to be amazed by the dedication and commitment they show to improving the experience of our patients in hospital.”

Adrian Stone, Chairman of Sheffield Hospitals Charity, said “It is our privilege to support the service and the vital work it does for the hospitals. The award belongs to each and every one of the amazing and dedicated volunteers who give their time and energy to support our local NHS”.

Representatives of Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Volunteers received the award crystal and certificate from Professor Dame Hilary Chapman DBE, Lord-Lieutenant of South Yorkshire.