Volunteers from across Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust came together on Thursday 21 June for a celebratory afternoon tea at the Victoria Hotel in Bradford.

The annual event, which this year took place in the NHS’s 70th year, is an opportunity for Trust staff to show their appreciation for all the hard work and dedication of local people who give up their time to volunteer.

The Care Trust currently has over 250 volunteers from across Bradford, Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven who carry out roles across its entire range of Mental Health, Community and Children’s services. These include organising activities for people staying in the Trust’s mental health wards, offering support at one of the Trust’s three carers hubs, or providing a warm welcome to patients and families at the Four Seasons Café at Lynfield Mount Hospital.

Volunteers can also join the Trust’s Champions Show The Way programme, which helps people to make positive changes to their lifestyle and health, and currently runs over 70 community-based health and wellbeing activities every week, including creative writing, singing, crafts, walking and peer support wellbeing groups.

The afternoon tea event was also an opportunity for early NHS 70th birthday festivities, where staff and volunteers can celebrate their work and the work of the wider NHS. The NHS officially turns 70 on Thursday 5 July.

The Trust’s Volunteer Lead, Catherine Jowitt, said: “Volunteering is a great way to gain new skills and experiences, and opportunities are available across all our services. Our volunteers are absolutely priceless for the roles they play in supporting our local communities and encouraging people to live healthier lives, alongside our staff. The 70th birthday afternoon tea event is our way of thanking each and every one of our volunteers – we are so grateful for their time and commitment, and the work they do really does make a difference.”

To find out more about volunteering with Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust, visit www.bdct.nhs.uk/get-involved/volunteering.