THE dedicated volunteers at St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust are celebrating after it was announced they are to be honoured with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.

The prestigious honour is the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK and is the equivalent to an MBE.

More than 300 volunteers from St Helens, Whiston and nearby regularly give up their time to help provide a range of services at St Helens, Whiston and Newton hospitals.

St Helens Star:

Dave Turner - a volunteer at the Lilac Centre

Each volunteer plays an essential role in supporting the health and wellbeing of patients and helping visitors, as well as helping to keep hospital services running smoothly.

Their vital and varied work includes meeting and greeting people when they arrive at the hospital, raising awareness through Prevention of Delirium work, befriending and dining with patients, offering Pets as Therapy services, and delivering medication as Pharmacy drivers, as well as being a key presence on most wards and departments throughout the Trust.

St Helens Star:

Jack Herbert and Adrienne Grainger

The Trust’s Volunteers Service is one of 230 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award this year. The team were up against a high number of nominations across the UK, but were selected for their level of dedication and the innovative use of their time and skills to improve the overall hospital experience.

St Helens Star:

Precious Ojukwu

Anita Butterworth, Volunteers Services Manager, said: “We’re always grateful to our volunteers for all the help they provide throughout each year.

"We’re absolutely delighted that all their hard work and commitment to our patients, visitors, and staff at the hospitals has been recognised. "They’ve faced especially challenging times in recent months, but have carried on with their roles with the same dedication and always with a smile on their face.

St Helens Star:

Graham Tubey - volunteer at pharmacy

"We’ve always known what a special group of volunteers we have, and we’re so proud and pleased that they have won this award."

Representatives of the Volunteers Service will receive the Award from Mr Mark Blundell, Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside later this summer.

Two volunteers will also attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in May 2021, along with other recipients of this year’s Award.