Here’s Volunteer, Phil Hellawell, receiving his Certificate of Appreciation. He also helped to raise the flag earlier at HRI for Appreciation Week.

The honour was a complete surprise for Phil, as he didn’t know he was doing it until moments before. He was also given a voucher from Chief Digital and Information Officer, Rob Birkett, for all the amazing things he does – in his own time – to support our patients and colleagues.

Widening Participation and Engagement Project Lead, Stevie Cheesman, said: “Phil has previously won Volunteer of the Month for being fabulous in his volunteering role, supporting patients and colleagues, continuously going above and beyond to support other widening Trust functions.

“Since then, Phil, who has been volunteering for almost a year, has stepped up in providing unsociable hours, most recently to the CRH Pharmacy Team with their move to the third floor.

“He emailed me recently to say that he decided at the last minute to go to CRH and how it was ‘a most fulfilling experience’.

“He went on to list numerous acts of kindness he’d carried out, such as escorting a confused elderly gentleman, at the request of his wife to buy a sandwich (and finding him again later wandering around the hospital so helped him again), to chatting at length to patients waiting in the CRH ED.

“One was concerned about his dog as he was being admitted, so Phil helped him write a letter to his neighbours and he delivered it by hand after his shift. He also helped serve lunches, helped a couple find the car park, plus countless more acts of kindness.

“Phil said to me that it was a privilege to help our patients, but I think we’re the privileged ones having him here at #TeamCHFT.”

Share your appreciation with a colleague who has made a difference

All this week we're asking colleagues to share their appreciation with others. Here's what's happening:

• Today (Monday, 16th October) 11:00 – 13:30 – Appreciation stall by Southside Dining, HRI
• Tuesday, 17th October 11:00 – 13:30 – Appreciation stall by Ingleton Falls, CRH

Throughout the week watch out for our Executive Team as they'll be walking around showing their appreciation to colleagues, and there will be appreciation packs available at community bases.