Volunteers who support NHS Forth Valley received a big thank you recently when they were presented with specially-designed baubles as a gesture of appreciation.

The volunteers included representatives from voluntary organisations including the Friends of Forth Valley Royal Hospital, the Royal Voluntary Service, So Precious and RSVP, to name but a few. Also present were volunteers who work in various wards and departments, such as oncology, mental health, emergency and the children’s ward.  The baubles were presented by NHS Forth Valley Chairman, Alex Linkston  and Director of Nursing, Professor Angela Wallace.

Alex Linkston, Chairman, NHS Forth Valley said: “Volunteering brings a wide range of benefits to patients, carers, staff and also the volunteers themselves. Volunteers can help free up staff time and help 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”.

There are more than 400 volunteers across NHS Forth Valley who are involved in a wide range of activities, including visiting patients in hospital wards and helping patients and families in the oncology unit at Forth Valley Royal Hospital.