Heartbeat: In a league of their own!
March 16, 2020
The League of Friends work within our organisation to not only support our Trust but our local community. Collectively they raise funds to help make a positive impact on patient care. The funds raised from the local shop, donations, the sale of teas and coffees, among other things, provide additional services and facilities for patients, visitors and colleagues within our organisation.
Over the years, the League of Friends has donated significant amounts to our organisation. Examples of donations include part-funding a FibroScan machine for the gastroenterology team and providing a bladder scanner for the stroke unit.
You’ll have undoubtedly met some of the volunteers that work in our local shop in the reception area of Sandwell Hospital. Did you know that four of them have devoted a combined total of 129 years between them? We caught up with Barbara Lissimore, Joan Devaney, Val Morris and Janet Dearn to find out more.
Janet was introduced to the League of Friends by a former treasurer. She explained: “I was a school secretary for 27 years and a teacher at the school was also a treasurer with the charity. She suggested that I should get involved. Four members of my family had been part of the League of Friends before me so it felt natural for me to get involved.”
She added: “I’ve dedicated 38 years to volunteering for The League of Friends and I previously held the positions of Vice-Chair and Chair for 20 years. I now volunteer one day a week and I love it just as much as when I joined. It’s great to see the money we raise put to good use. One of the things I recall us funding was a bus stop for dementia patients. We had a full-size replica of local bus stop created and patients would sit at it when they needed some time out to calm down.”
Speaking to Heartbeat, Barbara said that she began volunteering after her husband passed away. “A friend suggested that I should join the League of Friends after I lost my husband. Since joining I’ve become a part of the committee and one of the most rewarding parts of the role is seeing how the money is spent. It’s just wonderful to see how it makes such a difference in the local community.”
Similarly, Val has volunteered for 24 years and began doing so after she too lost her husband. She commented: “Becoming a volunteer was a lifeline – you feel that you’re doing something good. I work in the shop every Friday and I’m proud of the people I work with and especially of the work the committee does. I’ve also met some lovely people over the years.”
Joan has been a part of the League of Friends for 40 years. Acting as the secretary and being part of the committee keeps her busy but she wouldn’t have it any other way. “I enjoy helping others and seeing the projects and equipment making a difference. I recall us funding a tablet with a camera in it for the gastroenterology team a few years ago. At the time it was considered cutting edge as it took photos of the intestines as it travelled through the body.”
Having donated over a century to our workplace we’d like to thank Janet, Joan, Val and Barbara for their hard work and dedication.