Local Hospital Trust says ‘thank you’ to its volunteers

Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust will be acknowledging the hard work and dedication of its volunteers during Volunteers’ Week 2026.

Volunteers’ Week returns this year for the 42nd year. From Monday 1 to Sunday 7 June 2026, Sherwood Forest Hospitals will join thousands of charities and voluntary organisations recognising the contribution volunteers make across the UK, thanking and recognising the value of their time, passion and skills. The campaign highlights the diversity and unity of volunteer work across the UK.

Sherwood Forest Hospitals Trust has over 370 volunteers working across its three hospital sites (King’s Mill Hospital, Newark Hospital and Mansfield Community Hospital), as well as in the newly opened Community Diagnostic Centre. Volunteers range in age from 16 to 93, work over 27 different roles across the Trust and between them, have donated approximately 54,000 hours of time to the Trust so far this year.

This Volunteers’ Week the Trust will be celebrating their volunteers by hosting drop-in tea and cake sessions where volunteers will receive a certificate and a pin badge. The Trust is extremely grateful to volunteers from Butterfly Bakes at ATTFE in Sutton-in-Ashfield, who will once again be providing cupcakes.

An appreciation station for volunteers will be available at the Trust’s King’s Mill Hospital and Newark Hospital sites where people can write messages of thanks to volunteers, and colleagues will be encouraged to nominate an outstanding volunteer for an award in the Trust’s annual Excellence Awards ceremony which will take place in September.

As well as this, members of the Trust Executive team will be visiting the volunteers in their area of work to personally thank them. Areas they will be visiting include the patient buggy, clinical and ward support, fundraising, wayfinding, and café areas across the Trust’s three sites.

Jo Thornley, Community Involvement Manager at the Trust said: “Many of our volunteers have been with us for many years. They play an essential role in helping to keep services across the Trust running smoothly by providing a friendly and welcoming atmosphere for our patients and serving those essential teas and coffees to our colleagues, patients, and visitors.

“Volunteers Week is our chance to celebrate and recognise the fantastic contribution our volunteers make to the Trust.”

Sally Brook Shanahan, Director of Corporate Affairs at the Trust echoed Jo’s sentiments: “It takes a special sort of person to volunteer their time to help others, and we value their dedicated service.

“We are so appreciative of all that our volunteers do, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of them for their contributions.”

Julie Scarle has been volunteering in the Welcome Treatment Centre (WTC) at King’s Mill Hospital for four years. The WTC specifically deals with patients receiving short courses of treatment for cancer or blood disorders.

She commented on how welcoming she has found the Trust to be since starting as a volunteer: “As a visually impaired person I wasn’t sure what role would be most suitable for me, and I am grateful for the Voluntary Services Team and colleagues on the ward for focusing on what I can bring to my role and not just thinking about the challenges my disability may pose.

“The best bit about volunteering in the WTC is the patients. It’s such a privilege to brew them a cuppa and play even a small part in their lives at what is surely a difficult time.”

Julie has recently been appointed as a Governor at the Trust, where she will be focusing on representing the needs of the Trust’s volunteer community.