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What can volunteering do for you? Would you like to feel happier, be part of a team and learn new skills? Donna Lee- Willis from Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust explores how doing one simple thing could have a big impact on your life – volunteering! I ’ve been working with volunteers for years and people get involved for all kinds of reasons,” begins Donna Lee- the area; all the lovely people I meet have their own stories and reasons to help. We all know that Addenbrooke’s is an excellent hospital, but that there is always more that
“Volunteering gives so much: from meeting new people to creating a sense of community, as well as improving your self- esteem, having fun and generally feeling more fulfilled.” As for their
Willis, head of community fundraising at Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT). “The younger generation tend to do it because it helps with their CV and university applications. For retired people, it can often be because they’ve suddenly gone from having very busy lives to being retired with a lot of free time to give. Others might be former patients who are really grateful for the care they have received. They’re not always in a position to donate money but they can give us their time which is invaluable to us.
can be done as demand increases and medical science progresses. That’s where ACT is so vital: when the staff in the hospital identify an extra need, or a new initiative, they know there is a charity on site
There is a charity on site they can turn to for help
importance within the organisation, Donna says: “We wouldn’t be able to do what we do without them. They’re part of the team. If we didn’t have
they can turn to for help. My wife and I are both excited by the plans for a cancer hospital and children’s hospital. “There is certainly much fundraising to do and volunteering for ACT is not only enjoyable, but gives you the satisfaction of seeing a worthwhile end product, which really can help change people’s lives for the better – as the hospital did for us. That’s very motivating!” Volunteers give as much time as they are able to and are matched to their skillset and interests. As far as the type of person they want as a volunteer, Donna says they are looking for just one thing: “Anyone with a big heart and some time to give!” If you would like to make a difference to people’s lives and volunteer for Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust, then get in touch today at volunteer@act4addenbrookes.org.uk
volunteers, we wouldn’t be able to support fundraisers and events the way we do now.” Every volunteer with ACT has the added feel-good factor of knowing that their time and energy goes directly towards making other people’s lives better. ACT is the official charity for Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie Hospital, and money raised by its supporters help make the hospitals even better by funding cutting-edge research, innovations and high-tech equipment beyond what the NHS can provide. Duncan Rodgers and his wife, Judy, are both volunteers. Duncan volunteered as a community ambassador for ACT after being treated at Addenbrooke’s for stage-three bowel cancer seven years ago. Duncan, who has since been given the all-clear, says: “The great thing is that the hospital is known and loved throughout
CARE AND SUPPORT Volunteering with ACT offers you the chance to give back to the NHS
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