Impact stories
How a bereaved engineer found purpose in volunteering
Dave Austin’s journey into volunteering began at a challenging moment in his life — yet it quickly became a source of meaning, connection, and community. A retired engineer, 72-year-old Dave’s problem-solving skills and teamwork mindset have found a new home at South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust.
From Volunteer to Mental Health Practitioner: Katie's Journey
Katie Ashbrook’s passion for working with children has been clear since her school days. Now 23, with a psychology degree in hand, she’s turning that passion into a career in children’s mental health - thanks to a volunteering opportunity that opened doors and deepened her understanding.
Suzie's journey: From pregnancy stroke survivor to NHS volunteer
Suzie Argo was looking towards a bright future after turning 30, with an active social life and a job working in the oil industry. But in 2008 her world came crashing down when, out of the blue, she suffered a catastrophic stroke.
Covid was the turning point for Lynn Jenkins
Lynn’s journey into volunteering began in an unexpected way — with her husband’s retirement dream.
Brighton hospital helper aims to inspire NHS volunteering
In 2017, Anna Cooke was adjusting to life as a single parent in Brighton after leaving her beloved career as a chef. Having worked her way through the ranks at different brand restaurants including Jamie’s Italian, and being part of the opening teams at restaurants in Portsmouth and Gatwick in time for the 2012 Olympics, Anna had reluctantly stepped away from the industry she loved to create a better work-life balance as she started a family.
Liverpool student nurse backs ‘Volunteer To Career’ scheme
A Liverpool woman who moved from a hospital volunteering role into training for a nursing career is backing a proven scheme that helped realise her dream.
Chester hospital artist backs ‘Volunteer to Career’ scheme aiding stretched NHS workforce
An artist who moved from a Chester hospital volunteering role into a frontline healthcare career is backing a proven scheme that helped realise her dream – and could be key to easing NHS workforce pressures.
Cambridgeshire dad backs ‘Volunteer to Career’ scheme – aiding stretched NHS workforce
A Cambridgeshire dad who switched track from telecoms management into a frontline mental health career is backing a scheme that helped change his life – and could be key to easing NHS workforce pressures.
Military wife backs ‘Volunteer to Career’ scheme aiding stretched NHS workforce
A military wife who moved from a hospital volunteering role into a frontline healthcare career is backing a proven scheme that helped realise her dream – and could be key to easing NHS workforce pressures.
Senior Nigerian nurse backs ‘Volunteer to Career’ scheme aiding stretched NHS workforce
A FORMER Nigerian nursing director who left her homeland over fears for her family’s safety is forging a career in the NHS thanks to an innovative scheme that could help tackle health workforce pressures in the UK.
Cambridgeshire mum backs ‘Volunteer To Career’ scheme – aiding stretched NHS workforce
A former librarian from Taiwan who craved a career in healthcare after moving from to the UK is backing a scheme that has helped change her life – and could be key to easing NHS workforce pressures.
Bath graduate backs ‘Volunteer to Career’ scheme aiding stretched NHS workforce
A BATH psychology graduate who moved from a hospital volunteering role into study for a frontline healthcare career is backing a proven scheme that helped realise her dream – and could be key to easing NHS workforce pressures.
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.
