A big thank you to the hundreds of volunteers who support NHS Forth Valley took place recently, when chairman Alex Linkston presented plaques as a gesture of appreciation to representatives from voluntary organisations including the Friends of Forth Valley Royal Hospital, the Royal Voluntary Service, Braveheart, So Precious and Volunteering Matters-RSVP, to name but a few.

Mr Linkston told them he was astounded to learn that more than 400 volunteers were provided through external organisations in addition to around 90 people who are directly engaged in visiting patients in the wards and helping patients and families in the oncology unit.

“Volunteering brings a wide range of benefits to patients, carers, staff and also the volunteers themselves. For NHS staff the role of the volunteer can help free up professional resources and forge stronger links with local communities. For volunteers the experience provides purposeful activity, a sense of belonging, social interaction and is proven to be beneficial for their own health and wellbeing.

“We have been fortunate with the support of our volunteers to have achieved the Investor in Volunteers Award in 2011 and again in 2014 and I want to convey my thanks for all the hard work and dedication that has helped us achieve this.”

Following the presentation, Jim Prentice the chairman of Radio Royal, hosted a ‘Chat Show’ inviting volunteers and staff to speak about their experience of volunteering and a children’s choir from Ladeside Primary School in Larbert sang Christmas carols. The event also included a video and a slide show highlighting the roles than volunteers play.