Volunteers’ Week is an annual celebration of the fantastic contribution that millions of volunteers make across the UK. To mark this event and thank their volunteers North West Locality staff organised an award ceremony and lunch for volunteers followed by a visit to the Tall Ship, Riverside.

John Thomson, Health Improvement Lead, awarded the certificates to the volunteers. He commented  “The Partnership was recently awarded the Volunteering Charter Mark and the baseline information submitted for this award information recognises each of your efforts and has made this award possible – so while it was awarded to the Partnership your own efforts has made this possible - it really is your award.”

Staff from other services came to the event to recognise volunteers’ input and spoke of their valuable contribution. Sandra Duff, Volunteer Co-ordinator commended volunteers on their hard work and commitment and expressed how much they have grown in their confidence, knowledge and progressing towards their aspirations.

The North West Locality Volunteer Newsletter shows the range of volunteer activity. If you want to know more about volunteering contact Sandra Duff, Volunteer Coordinator, Sandra.duff2@ggc.scot.nhs.uk

Gartnavel Royal Volunteer Services and Hospital staff also ran a volunteer week full of activities.  These included an early Morning celebratory brunch for Therapet volunteers and their dogs who visit the wards in Gartnavel Royal Hospital and the Kershaw unit.  There was also a lunch in the Summerhouse for Corporate Volunteers who support Gartnavel Royal Hospital through a range of activities. Since April 2018 alone, we have created 180 corporate volunteer team building opportunities across 15 days so far and at the same time refurbished and renewed the Applefield Garden, an outdoor therapeutic space for people using Gartnavel Royal Hospital mental health services. 
Other events were afternoon tea marking the important contribution of our local registered charity Gartnavel Royal Auxiliary, a sing a long with the Art in the Gart Community Choir “The Hub Singers” and an away day for Gardening volunteers.

More information from Fiona Sinclair, Volunteer Services Manager, Fiona.sinclair6@ggc.scot.nhs.uk