Worthy honour for long-serving volunteers, Glennis and Margaret | News

Two of the Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust’s longest serving volunteers, Glennis Asquith and Margaret Taylor, have been recognised for their outstanding 40 years of service to the Trust, on their retirement from volunteering.

To thank them for their incredible contribution and dedication to patients, visitors and colleagues at the Trust, the time-honoured pair were invited to Wakefield Town Hall where they were presented with a certificate and flowers by the Mayor of Wakefield, Cllr David Jones.

Glennis retired from her role as a volunteer guide at Pontefract Hospital in 2021, having joined the Trust as a volunteer in October 1981 at Pontefract General Infirmary (PGI). Her first role was selling a range of goods to patients, visitors and staff (second-hand books, games, pottery and knitted items for babies) via a small ‘cupboard’ shop in the Maternity Department.

Glennis and her team mate were instrumental in turning the little shop into a roaring success, raising much needed funds for the hospital. They greeted customers in a friendly and welcoming way and were a great source of knowledge to visitors and patients regarding the hospital services.

When the voluntary services café closed at PGI with the shop alongside it, Glennis became a Volunteer Guide at Pontefract Hospital until her retirement.

Margaret joined the Trust as a volunteer in January 1981, initially delivering the Women’s Royal Voluntary Services (WRVS) hospital trolley service at the former Pinderfields General Hospital, selling magazines, newspapers and confectionery to staff and patients. It was not long before Margaret had the opportunity to manage the WRVS café and when the café closed Margaret joined the Pinderfields Hospital Volunteer Guiding team and worked the Friday guiding shift with her husband, Don. 

In March 2018 Margaret was nominated for a NHS Heroes Award in recognition of her sterling service as a Volunteer Guide. As part of the national celebrations to mark the 70th Anniversary of the NHS, the NHS Heroes Awards event at The Hilton in London (sponsored by ITV and The Mirror) celebrated real-life heroes within the NHS and gave an insight into the life-changing work of its staff and volunteers. Margaret was one of three national NHS volunteers who were chosen as winners in the Unsung Hero category. The event was aired on ITV in May 2018 and was hosted by Paul O’Grady. HRH Prince William and a whole host of celebrities including Sir Elton John and Dame Shirley Bassey, led the tributes at the star-studded event.

During the Covid-19 pandemic when Glennis and Margaret had to pause their volunteering, they became eligible for their 40 years’ long service awards at the Trust. Unfortunately, due to the Covid-19 restrictions they were unable to be presented with their awards, however they were put forward by Danielle Norman (Head of Voluntary Services and Work Experience) to receive their awards at a presentation event by the Mayor of Wakefield.

The Trust’s volunteers are often the first point of contact for patients and visitors and provide a warm ‘meet and greet’ service. Margaret and Glennis’s approachable friendly qualities have meant that over the years many anxious patients and accompanying family members arriving at the hospital have been put at ease as they were guided to the correct department.

According to Margaret the secret to being a good volunteer is empathy. During her time at the Trust she recognised that many people coming into hospital could be at their lowest ebb and revealed: “There are times when people come in and they are very upset, and you have to think that it could be one of your own family who is ill. However, I have always loved people and it makes my day when they say thank you. It makes the job so worthwhile.”

The Mayor of Wakefield (Cllr David Jones) was delighted to present Glennis and Margaret with their awards in the Mayor’s Parlour at Wakefield Town Hall at the beginning of January. Keith Ramsay (Chairman) attended on behalf of the Trust, along with Clare Blackburn (Head of Patient Experience), Danielle Norman (Head of Voluntary Services and Work Experience) and Gwen Shackelton (Senior Volunteer Coordinator).

Keith Ramsay, Chairman of The Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “It was wonderful to see Glennis and Margaret being acknowledged for their long voluntary service to the Trust by the Mayor of Wakefield. They are thoroughly deserving of this honour, and I would like to thank them for their excellent commitment, compassion and devotion to patients, visitors and staff during their 40 years of service. I wish them all in the best in their well-deserved retirements.”

Danielle Norman, Head of Voluntary Services and Work Experience, said: “The Mayor’s presentation was a great opportunity to say a big thank you to Glennis and Margaret for all their years of dedicated voluntary service to the Trust. Hearing Margaret and Glennis’ stories has helped us reflect on how significant their contribution has been to the Trust and how much they have enjoyed and benefitted from volunteering.”

Whilst we celebrate this incredible 40-year service, the Trust is keen to attract new motivated volunteers to support patients in its hospitals. The Volunteer Team have multiple roles available including the Volunteer Guide role that both Margaret and Glennis have enjoyed. If you are interested in joining the Volunteer Team you can sign up at: www.midyorks.nhs.uk/volunteering.