Janet Thornhill – Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust, Whitchurch Community Hospital

Janet Thornhill, a volunteer at Whitchurch Community Hospital, has exceeded her volunteering role in many ways – from the hours she works, the care and range of activities she undertakes, particularly with dementia patients, to the money she spends to help patients with activities. Jan worked at the hospital for years and has volunteered for the last four, which has grown into best practice patient-centred work. Jan has trained a small team of volunteers. She has supported, advised and helped facilitate training and activities with the nursing staff and chaplaincy. The areas of volunteering that Jan has developed include: dedicated activities and initiatives with dementia patients; a memorabilia hospital area; a garden area; inpatient survey and friends & family patient feedback; supporting the running of a dementia café; and the Trust’s Patient & Carer Panel. She speaks about her work to staff and other volunteers, including those at other community hospitals, coordinates and supports volunteers and staff, and she spoke at a new volunteers Trust event and local dementia conference to 200 people. Jan has also initiated and organised many significant well-attended themed events for patients and staff, such as a Harvest festival, the Diamond Jubilee, Christmas carols, opening of the new garden, and more.