Care Trust’s dedicated volunteers honoured in annual celebration event

Volunteers and staff members from across Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust services came together for an afternoon of celebrations at the Great Victoria Hotel in Bradford.

Held during Volunteer’s Week, the annual event provided an opportunity for Trust volunteers to be recognised and thanked for their achievements from the previous year over an afternoon tea and activities.

Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust’s Head of Charity and Volunteering, Catherine Jowitt, said: “We are truly grateful to every one of our amazing volunteers for the difference they make every day. This event is an opportunity to say a heartfelt thank you for their hard work and dedication, and for giving their time so generously to people who access our Trust services.”

The event highlighted achievements such as 3,865 volunteer hours logged by the Trust’s Well Together Service who deliver volunteer led activity, support and walking groups from Settle to Wyke and 1,104 volunteer led activities delivered within Trust services in the last year.

One service user who attended an activity group said: “When I first came to the group, I was full of grief. Since coming here regularly, I have made new friends and I feel better in myself.”

Volunteering opportunities with the Trust vary from supporting people who are often isolated in the community with wellbeing activities and walks, to helping new mums in baby clinics, and supporting therapeutic activity for people in the Trust’s mental health hospitals.

For people who have used the Trust’s services, becoming a volunteer can support their recovery, and its award-winning ‘volunteer to career’ programme helps people start their career in the NHS.