Quality Radio trustee and presenter Norman Ross has been invited to attend the Civic Reception for NHS Volunteers at Glasgow City Chambers.
Norman will be proudly representing the Quality Radio Hospital Visiting and Request Programme Team at the RAH Paisley and QEUH – Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Govan, Glasgow; celebrating the vital role volunteers play in supporting care and services across NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s army of volunteers will receive an official vote of thanks from the City of Glasgow this week, at a Civic Reception at Glasgow City Chambers, George Square in the heart of the city to mark Volunteers’ Week.
The event, to be held on Wednesday 4 June at Glasgow City Chambers, will pay tribute to the hundreds of people, of all ages and from all walks of life, who give up their time to help our patients, visitors and staff in NHSGGC’s acute hospitals, for valued third sector partner organisations, and for Health and Social Care Partnerships.
Volunteers’ Week is an annual UK-wide campaign held from the first week in June to celebrate and recognise the contributions of volunteers.
And every year, NHSGGC arranges a series of events to mark the week, to recognise, celebrate and thank the army in red T-shirts for all they do.
Rachel Killick, Spiritual Care and Volunteer Service Manager at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said: “Our fantastic volunteers turn out every week, come rain or shine, to help our patients, visitors and staff – whether it’s to welcome people as they arrive at our hospitals, provide company and a kind word for our patients during their treatment, support active wards and rehabilitation sessions, or simply to make a cup of tea for a tired member of staff.
“Every year we use Volunteers’ Week as a way to officially thank our volunteers, but for the City of Glasgow to hold a Civic Reception in their honour is particularly special – though it’s no less than they deserve.”
At the reception, which will be hosted by the Deputy Lord Provost of Glasgow, Councillor Christy Mearns, and attended by the Deputy Chief Executive of NHSGGC, William Edwards, volunteers will hear messages of thanks from the city and the health board before getting a chance to meet other volunteers, share stories and enjoy the celebration.
In addition, a number of guests, who have been volunteering for 10 years and more, will receive special recognition.
During the event, the health board will also reaffirm its commitment to volunteering by becoming a Volunteer Charter Champion.
This aligns with the board’s refreshed Volunteering Policy and includes commitments to welcoming volunteers from all backgrounds and removing income as a barrier; providing strong support, training, and development for volunteers; creating meaningful roles that complement, not replace, the work of our paid staff.
And as a special touch, one of the stars of the 2024 celebration, volunteer David Henry, will return at the reception. Last year David penned a poem to celebrate our volunteers, a video of which became one of the highlights of the week, and he returns this year with a new poem written specially for the City Chambers event.
Professor Angela Wallace, Executive Nurse Director at NHSGGC and Executive Lead for Volunteering, said: “Every week our volunteers come along to our hospitals and healthcare sites and support our patients, visitors and staff.
“Without any expectation of recognition or thanks they give up their time, some to fill their days at the end of their working lives, others to get experience at the beginning of theirs – but all out of a simple desire to help others.
“On behalf of everyone at NHSGGC, and of the people whose lives have been touched by our volunteers, I would like to say thank you for everything you do.
“This Civic Reception is the perfect way to mark Volunteers’ Week, and to express our appreciation to you all.”
