19 June 2025

Network members general discussion - an open forum for sharing and learning.

This month’s network members general networking discussion covered:

Plans to build a new hospice in Gorleston Hospice charity submits plans for care facility

Communication and understanding volunteer manager job role boundaries across different organisations.

Award Ceremonies are happening for many of you and include a Staff Oscars evening where for the first time there will be a Volunteer of the Year Award.

Volunteers’ Week at Royal Free Charity

The tea party was well attended, and certificate were given to long-standing volunteers.

Long-standing volunteers

The Royal Free Charity has two volunteers that have volunteered at the radio station since its inception 55 years ago.

It was suggested that they be nominated for a British Empire Medal for long service. It does entail a bit of work gathering statements, etc., but it is worth the effort. St Elizabeth’s Hospice nominated two of their ladies who had both volunteered in the charity shop for 35 years. It took two years, but the ladies went on to receive the award which was given to them by the Chief Lieutenant of Suffolk and an invitation to the Buckingham Palace Garden Party.

Patient Experience Volunteers

Royal Free Charity has recently extended this service into their Pharmacy area. This has had a positive effect on the department and the volunteers received a special mention in a recent Patient Experience meeting. Feedback from the surveys is fed back to the relevant staff and is crucial to making sure that the hospital is where it needs to be. Royal Free Charity kindly shared the role description which can now be found on our website here.

When is the right time and how do you approach a volunteer, whose health is noticeably deteriorating?

Before escalating, it was suggested to have a gentle chat with the volunteer to ask how they are feeling. Don’t jump to conclusions as it may be that they are personally going through a rough patch with things at home etc.
Your HR Department may be a good starting point as they are likely to have a process for staff members.

If you have any other suggestions or personal experience that you would like to share, please use this Forum thread.

How do you keep track of expiry dates on any ‘Right to Work’ documents?

Spreadsheet
Paper Diary

If you have any automated solutions that you would like to share, please use this Forum thread.