It's National Volunteers' Week, so a great opportunity to say a huge thank you to all our incredible volunteers who make a difference every day to our patients, visitors and colleagues. A digital appreciation board has been created and we're encouraging all colleagues to spend a few minutes sharing their messages of thanks to our volunteers.
Volunteer Service Lead, Stevie Cheesman, said: "To our incredible volunteers at CHFT - thank you. Through your generosity, compassion and time, you help create brighter days for patients, families and staff alike."
Recently one of our legendary Pets as Therapy (PAT) dogs, Daisy, retired from volunteering after nine years. Robert has shared her story to celebrate their commitment to volunteering and all the joy they've brought over the years.
"Daisy was a rescue dog from Romania who was 15 months old when we got her as a family pet. I first got involved as a PAT volunteer when I was a Governor at Kingston Hospital. At the time there was just one dog and he was about to retire. I registered Daisy with PAT, but she had to pass an assessment test first which tested her response to strangers, food, other dogs, noises and how she walked on a lead. She passed first time!
"Daisy is a really friendly dog who is small enough to pick up or sit on people’s laps (infection control permitting!) She loves a cuddle and especially a tummy tickle. She’s brilliant with children, I remember once a young boy karate chopped her. She didn’t even flinch.
"I have two major memories: on one occasion the son of a patient explained that when he saw Daisy, it put a smile on his face for the first time in several days. It's not just the patients who suffer but friends and family as well, so to support them, really makes what we do worth it.
"Another time a man stopped me on the stairs to ask what it was like to have a dog. I explained that dogs offered companionship and made sure we got out every day for a walk so it was good for our health. It also gave us the opportunity to talk to other people, especially other dog owners. He explained that he was a single man and after work just went home with no-one to speak to. He recognised the value of having a dog not only as a companion but as a way of interacting with other people. I don’t know if he actually did get a dog.
"Importantly, Daisy has won two awards. At Kingston Hospital she was given the Volunteer of the Year Award in 2018 for “Personal Impact” and in November 2024 she was “Volunteer of the Month” at CHFT. I’m glad to say that these awards haven’t gone to her head.
"Most of my volunteering in the past has been sitting in formal meetings so I started to volunteer as a PAT visitor to interact. It’s been really good to see people’s responses to seeing Daisy. She gets lots of cuddles and the smiles from patients and staff also make me smile.
"Overall I must have made quite a few hundred visits. The visits have invariably been fun and I’m convinced Daisy’s found them positive and stimulating. One time we turned up at the Rainbow Hub in Elland on the same day they had a play session for children with eating disorders. The play leaders had covered the floor with different types of foods, I had to stop Daisy hoovering up all the food!
"Although I am retiring Daisy as a PAT dog, my other voluntary activities still continue. However, recently becoming a grandfather has changed my perspective somewhat, and I think that as one door closes another one opens. I may well find other voluntary roles at CHFT - but I hope to have a few years yet with Daisy.
"I’d like to think that Daisy has brought a lot of pleasure and of course smiles. I know that our involvement at Kingston helped set up a group of volunteers that now numbers 15 dogs and I still retain good friends from that original 'PAT Pack.' It has been a fun nine years.
"I would really recommend people with dogs to volunteer as a PAT Visitor."