250 volunteers supporting Northern Trust services honoured at special thank you event

Sabrina Lynn, Head of Service, Louise Gillespie, Programme Delivery Officer, Suzanne Pullins, Northern Trust Chief Executive, and Lynsey McVitty, Health and Wellbeing Locality Lead, prepare to cut the celebration cake at the ‘thank you’ event.

Hundreds of patients and service users across Northern Ireland benefit every year from the time, compassion and dedication of volunteers working within the Northern Health and Social Care Trust — and this week those volunteers were recognised at a special celebration marking their contribution.

More than 250 volunteers who support services across the Trust were thanked during a dedicated Volunteers’ Week event, highlighting the vital role they play in enhancing care, providing companionship and helping people access support when they need it most.

The Northern Trust’s volunteer community operates across 35 different service areas and undertakes 18 separate volunteering roles, making a significant contribution to the daily experiences of patients, service users and families.

Volunteers making a difference every day

Causeway Hospital Radio volunteers who attended the ‘thank you’ event - Alan Dempsie, Robert Campbell, Andrew Cooper, Richard Brown, Ita McErlean, Barbara Gray.

Pictured at the volunteer celebration event are Gill Murphy, Executive Director of Nursing, Sabrina Lynn, Head of Service, Louise Gillespie, Programme Delivery Officer, Wenda Gray, Volunteer Now, Jacqui Reid, Director of Human Resources, Organisational Development and Corporate Communications, Suzanne Pullins, Northern Trust Chief Executive and Lynsey McVitty, Health and Wellbeing Locality Lead.

From offering companionship to people who may be isolated, to helping service users engage in health and wellbeing activities, volunteers are embedded throughout many areas of the Trust’s work.

Lynsey McVitty, Locality Lead with the Trust’s Health and Wellbeing team, said the event was an opportunity to recognise the impact volunteers have across a wide range of services.

“We are very fortunate to have such a committed team of volunteers, and our event was an opportunity to recognise them for the support they offer across many of our Trust services.

“From befriender volunteers who provide support and companionship, to peer support volunteers who draw on their own lived experience to help others, activity volunteers who enhance the service user experience by supporting staff with health and wellbeing activities, and service support volunteers who create a welcoming environment and assist people to access services — without them, we simply couldn’t do what we do.”

The scale of the volunteer contribution means many patients encounter volunteers at key moments in their healthcare journey, whether receiving support, reassurance or practical assistance while accessing services.

Event shines a spotlight on volunteer impact

Causeway Hospital choir volunteers Rosemary Dobbin, Kay Smyth, Alison McMullin, Olive Todd, and Hilda McMullin pictured with Wenda Gray from Volunteer Now (back row, second left).

Leona Laverty and Paula Byrne at the volunteer ‘thank you’ event.

Susanne McNeilly, Breastfeeding Peer Support Volunteer, Alisha McLean-Breastfeeding Peer Support Volunteer, Jayne Calderwood, Breastfeeding Peer Support Link Worker and Pauline McKeown, Breastfeeding Coordinator, pictured at the event.

The evening began with an address from the Trust’s Head of Population Health and Wellbeing, Sabrina Lynn, before volunteers and staff took part in a panel discussion exploring the value of volunteering and its positive impact across Trust services.

Volunteers shared personal reflections on what their roles mean to them, while Trust staff outlined how volunteer support helps strengthen services and improve experiences for those using them.

Among the contributors was Queen’s University student Nicola MacMillan, who spoke about the importance of volunteers and the difference they make within communities and healthcare settings.

Representatives from the Hospital Radio team also reflected on their longstanding relationship with the Trust and discussed future plans for the service.

The event concluded with remarks from Wenda Gray of Volunteer Now, who highlighted the wider value of volunteering and thanked those who continue to give their time to support others.

Appeal for new volunteers to join Team North

Macmillan volunteers and representatives who attended ‘thank you’ event - Amy Wilson, Macmillan Information and Support Manager, Hilary Crooks, Causeway Hospital Information Pod volunteer, Bernie McGarry, Macmillan Information and Support Manager, Liz Abernethy, Causeway Hospital Information Pod volunteer, Linda McAfee, Causeway Hospital Information Pod volunteer.

Sharon O’Donnell, Macmillan Volunteer Coordinator (left), pictured with Macmillan volunteers Mabel Quinn, Joan Barr, Geraldine Canning, Maureen Mitchell, Susan Hoy, Heather Montgomery, Celine Boyle, Iris McFetridge, Sarah Pollock, with Deirdre Tolton, Interim Service Lead Palliative Care (right).

Sandra Watt, Programme Support Officer, and Glenda Kerr, Health Promotion Officer, pictured at the Northern Trust’s thank you event for volunteers.

While the event celebrated existing volunteers, Trust leaders also used the occasion to encourage others to consider becoming involved.

The Trust says it is keen to continue expanding and strengthening its volunteer network to support communities and services across the region.

Lynsey added:

“Our volunteers give so much to the Trust, and we hope this event helped to show just how important they are to our organisation.

“Thanks to everyone who attended and took part on the night, and to all of our volunteers for the incredible contribution they make every single day.

“We are always looking to grow and strengthen our Team North volunteer community, and we would encourage anyone interested in finding out more to contact us by emailing volunteerservice@northerntrust.hscni.net or by keeping an eye on our social media channels for upcoming opportunities.”

As healthcare services continue to face growing demands, the Trust says volunteers remain an important part of delivering support, helping create welcoming environments and providing valuable assistance that enhances the experience of patients and service users across Northern Ireland every day.