EVERY ONE OF YOU IS A HERO
Health Secretary’s tribute as Mail’s NHS volunteers get to work
HEALTH Secretary Matt Hancock has thanked thousands of Daily Mail readers for volunteering in NHS hospitals, saying ‘every one is a hero’.
An incredible 34,000 readers signed up to our Hospital Helpforce campaign last winter, boosting the number of NHS volunteers by a third.
After being vetted and trained by healthcare professionals over the past eight months, almost two-thirds of those who signed up have been put into action. And there are more volunteers walking into hospitals every day.
So far 21,000 have begun roles in hospitals around the country. These include serving tea, working on hospital radio, and acting as ‘hand-holders’ to calm patients.
Mr Hancock said: ‘This brilliant campaign has proved that the British people believe in playing their part to make the NHS the best it possibly can be.’
He said he was ‘incredibly moved’ by the stories of our volunteers, including Richard Drew, 54, who signed up to Helpforce after his wife Liz died of cancer last year.
The father-of-three helps out at Lister Hospital in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, where his wife was treated. He chats to patients, holds their hands, and serves teas and coffees. ‘Volunteering is helping me rebuild my life,’ Mr Drew said. ‘I know Liz would thoroughly approve.’
Last night, NHS leaders, hospital managers and celebrities joined the Health Secretary in praising the success of our campaign with the Helpforce charity.
Ruth May, chief nursing officer for England, said: ‘The Mail’s campaign has provoked an incredible reaction from the public and it is testimony to them and our country’s commitment to the NHS that so many more people have pledged their time and energy to caring for others.’
Sir Tom Hughes-Hallett, the founder of Helpforce, thanked the ‘many generous Daily Mail readers who signed up to give their time to our NHS’.
He added: ‘It is wonderful to see how you are already making an impact on the lives of staff and patients. Your generosity is a huge boost to NHS Trusts across the UK, and demonstrates the remarkable spirit of volunteering we can all be proud of.’
Actor Rupert Everett, who joined our campaign last Christmas, said: ‘The volunteers I met were truly inspirational. They had so much to offer and, from talking to them, it was obvious they couldn’t wait to get started. Congratulations to them all.’
Author Joanna Trollope added: ‘I am absolutely delighted to hear of the enormous success of Helpforce’s first recruitment drive.
‘But actually, I’m not at all surprised. Helpforce has clearly answered a lot of needs and is to be commended.’
Bafta-winning actor Jason Watkins said: ‘This imaginative initiative has inspired so many people to make huge difference in the care of our fellow citizens.’
Hospital managers said this paper’s campaign has helped to transform the happiness of patients and free up time for overstretched NHS staff.
Claire Lyon, who manages volunteers at three hospitals in Hertfordshire, said: ‘We had more than 350 volunteers last month, thanks to the Mail.
‘They are vital to the day-to-day running in hospital – the senior managers don’t know how they would cope without us.’