Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which manages Newark Hospital along with King’s Mill and Mansfield Community Hospital recognises some of its longest-serving volunteers ahead of NHS 75th anniversary
Health chiefs have recognised some of Newark Hospital’s longest serving volunteers as the NHS celebrated its 75th anniversary.
Sheila Clutterbuck, of Newark, started working at the former Newark General Hospital in 1978 as a flower volunteer.
She has received her 45-year long-service badge and certificate.
She had a passion for flower arranging and wanted to enhance the hospital environment by creating displays for public areas as well as arranging flowers delivered for patients.
She continued to be a flower volunteer at the new hospital until 2017 and has since volunteered on the fundraising gift stall.
She has a regular shift in reception in the podiatry department.
Sheila said: “It’s great being a volunteer. The patients certainly get a lot out of it—- it puts people at ease having someone to talk to.
“I enjoy meeting the public and showing a smiley face.
“If it helps the hospital and they need it, I am quite happy to give my time.
“We are so lucky to have Newark Hospital. It’s a fabulous hospital and I have recommended it many times to my friends and family.
“I would always recommend volunteering here too. It’s a lovely thing to do and it’s good to give back.
“They are a lovely bunch of people here, especially the people that look after us.”
Jane Combes, 70, of Balderton, has also been a volunteer for almost 45 years.
She wanted to give something back after visiting a relative who was a patient at the old London Road site.
Jane has volunteered in different areas of the hospital including coffee shops, main reception, fundraising and clinic support.
During this time, Jane was raising her family while running a successful catering business with her sister, which they ran for over 20 years.
She retired nine years ago but never stopped. She is a trustee of the Friends of Newark Hospital and is on the committee for a housing association in the area.
Jane said: “It’s lovely being a volunteer. It gives you a lot of satisfaction knowing you’re helping people and helping the hospital. I love all of it.
I work in all different departments — I just go wherever they want me. It’s a great hospital and we need people to use it more.
“I’ve been here a long time and there have been a lot of improvements.
“I’d encourage anyone to be a volunteer. You might give a lot, but you get a lot back.”
Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which manages Newark Hospital along with King’s Mill and Mansfield Community hospitals, also recognises the contribution made by Bridget Cobb, who volunteers for a partner charity that fundraises solely for Newark Hospital.
Bridget, 66, of Newark, has been the treasurer of the Friends of Newark Hospital for 47 years.
The Friends raise money to support the hospital and run the coffee shop on site.
Money raised contributes to a range of resources, often not available on the NHS.
This can include Christmas gifts for patients, specialist medical equipment and, most recently, gifts for patients to mark the King’s Coronation.
Bridget said: “Volunteering is something I enjoy doing. I like to help people and it gives me something to do and gets me out and about.
“Newark Hospital is brilliant — there are lovely staff here and I’ve made great friends.
“The range of services offered at Newark Hospital and what they do here is amazing. I’ve seen a lot of changes over time and that change has been for the better.
“The hospital is always improving, and the staff here are always going out of their way to try and improve the hospital.”
The hospital has received a key donation of £1m from the Doughty Foundation which was used to extend the endoscopy suite named in honour of Mercia Doughty, a nurse who worked at the hospital.
Jo Thornley, community involvement manager at Sherwood Forest Hospital said: “Dedicating over 45 years to supporting patients, visitors and colleagues at Newark Hospital is remarkable. We are incredibly grateful to Sheila, Jane and Bridget, as well as all our other volunteers who bring a wide range of skills and life experience to the trust.”
