As we approach the annual Volunteers’ Week, which runs from 1 to 7 June - the widening participation team are looking forward to launching a new monthly award to recognise the vital contribution our own volunteers make to both patients and colleagues at CHFT.

The theme this year for the week is Celebrate and Inspire and we're hoping to encourage people to be the change that we want to see and get involved in volunteering in whatever way works for them.

Volunteer coordinator project lead, Stevie Cheesman, said: “Volunteers' Week is a chance to celebrate and recognise the fantastic contribution our volunteers make across both Calderdale and Huddersfield hospitals.

"We have worked incredibly hard over the past year and a half to really embed volunteers into core functions to benefit colleague and patient experience, as well as service delivery, ensuring we deliver a gold standard service which helps promote our young adult volunteers as learners and the future employees at CHFT.

"The contribution of volunteers is often unseen and unrecognised by many, visible only through the incredible impact of their volunteering, so taking the time during Volunteers’ Week to celebrate their efforts and all they contribute to our local communities, the voluntary sector and society as a whole has never been more important."

What's happening at CHFT?

• We are holding a volunteer event at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary on Wednesday 7th June at the Learning Centre. It takes place between 10:00am and 4pm. There will be refreshments and a whole range of engagement activities which staff and patients are able to attend also.
• Plus on the day, we present our first ever Volunteer of the Month Award.
• Watch out for some screensavers sharing some volunteer profiles