Impact stories
Alisha-Mae’s story
At just 17 years old, Alisha-Mai Stevens is already making a difference in the NHS. Alisha-Mai lives in Telford with her family, including her older brother and younger sister. Her decision to volunteer was deeply shaped by personal experience - her mum, Sharon, has lived with cancer since the year after Alisha-Mai was born. Growing up with regular hospital visits gave Alisha-Mai a first-hand appreciation for the pressures healthcare staff face and the impact that extra support can have.
Chetan's story
Chetan Bhakri optimises what it means to donate the gift of time to help others. A busy full-time software consultant, he could be forgiven for kicking-back in front of the tv of a weekend or relaxing with friends. But instead, the 50-year-old from New Malden puts on his volunteer uniform every Saturday and Sunday night and reports for duty at Kingston Hospital.
From refugee to sonographer: Ahmed’s journey of resilience and renewal
Ahmed Bakheet’s story is one of extraordinary strength, resilience, and hope. A skilled sonographer who left Sudan amid political unrest and personal tragedy, Ahmed’s journey reflects the vital role that volunteering programmes like Helpforce’s Volunteer to Career for Refugees can play in rebuilding lives and supporting the NHS.
Volunteer to Career helps Ukrainian doctor rebuild her life
Olena Ipek’s journey from fleeing war in Ukraine to preparing for a new career in the NHS is a powerful example of how volunteering can transform lives and help address critical workforce challenges in healthcare.
Shrewsbury mum’s traumatic pregnancy led to NHS volunteering – now she’s on her way to becoming a midwife
A Shrewsbury woman who experienced a traumatic pregnancy and birth was so inspired by the hospital care she received that she’s changed career – and is on her way to becoming a midwife.
Karen's story
Grateful for the NHS care that saved her premature daughter Isla, Karen now volunteers at Kingston Hospital, supporting patients in their recovery.
Angela’s story
After experiencing the challenges of retail customer service, 40-year-old Angela O’Donnell sought a new direction. Her 70-year-old mother, Ruth, suffered from Alzheimer's, and it had awakened in Angela a deep passion for supporting people living with dementia, inspiring her to ‘give back’ as a healthcare volunteer.
Ray's story
In 2020, life was good for Ray Symons. After a varied career, including a 25 year stint as a civil servant, he was looking forward to enjoying retirement and spending more time with his wife Joanna and teenage daughter Rosie. That was until Ray started to feel poorly after attending a party just prior to the UK’s first Covid-19 lockdown.
Kimara’s journey as a Discharge Response volunteer
Volunteers like Kimara, support smoother hospital operations. Discover how her dedication as a Discharge Response volunteer makes every step count.
How a refugee doctor from Ukraine rebuilt her medical career through volunteering
Before the war in Ukraine, Yana Fylenko had built a stable life as a GP in Kharkiv. She was advancing her clinical career, teaching medical students, and enjoying family life with her husband Vitalii and daughter Zlata. But everything changed overnight in February 2022 when the Russian invasion began.
Mum of four finds purpose and connection as a community health volunteer
Celine Lewin’s journey into volunteering at the Cornwall Community Hub in Looe is a powerful example of how community connection and support can transform lives - both for those receiving help and those giving it.
How a design sculptor found patience through volunteering
Garry Barker spent his working life shaping some of the world’s most iconic luxury cars as a design sculptor at Aston Martin. Gary’s days were filled with the precision and artistry of crafting elegant forms, a perfect blend of creativity and engineering. But when retirement came, that sense of purpose and belonging he once had slipped away.
Malcolm's journey with the Millbrook community hub
Malcolm found community support that transformed his life with Parkinson's, cancer and dementia. Discover how volunteers help people thrive and support the NHS.
Volunteer Drivers have changed Niccola’s life
Before the volunteer driver scheme began supporting her, Niccola relied on ambulance transport. While grateful, she often faced long waits due to high demand, adding stress and fatigue to an already challenging routine.
A lifeline in Cornwall: Sandy’s story
In the rural southeast corner of Cornwall, the villages of Millbrook and the Rame Peninsula form a close-knit community where connection is essential. For Sandy Dyer, 76, The Peninsula Trust Community Hub in Millbrook has become much more than a meeting place - it’s a vital source of support, friendship, and practical help.
Finding purpose again: How community support transformed one woman's life
For Tess Patten, life in Penzance had gradually narrowed to the four walls of her flat. After being medically retired at just 36, following 14 years as a hospital nurse, she found herself facing a series of personal and financial crises alone.
How the Helpforce Volunteer to Career programme boosts recruitment and retention at Cheshire & Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
The Helpforce Volunteer to Career (VtC) programme has boosted support for staff and patients at Cheshire & Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CWP) whilst simultaneously offering a career path and further training in healthcare for volunteers. Three volunteers now work within the Occupational Therapy Department at CWP as an Occupational Therapy Technical Instructor, Physiotherapy Assistant and Fitness Instructor.
How Friends of Moorfields turbocharged their volunteer service with Volunteer to Career
The Helpforce Volunteer to Career (VtC) programme gave the Friends of Moorfields volunteer service a framework to attract volunteers into exploring careers in health and care, ease pressures on hospital staff, and demonstrate the positive impact of volunteers to senior hospital leaders.
How Helpforce helped Barts Health NHS Trust expand their volunteer service
Thanks to extensive support and collaboration with Helpforce, Barts Health NHS Trust developed an agile and responsive volunteer service that can be scaled across other NHS trusts. The active response volunteer service can support many different departments, and volunteers at Barts are now deployed to areas of the hospital that need the most support. But how did they do it?
Kingston Hospital Volunteering Service – a continuing partnership and successful business case
Helpforce has had a long and strong partnership with the enterprising volunteering team at Kingston Hospital, helping them initially set up innovative services, then getting the data to show impact and how services could improve.
