HOSPITAL heroes who have given up their time to help keep Furness General Hospital running smoothly are being celebrated in Volunteers’ Week.

Around 370 people volunteer across the trust that runs FGH in roles such as welcoming visitors and helping with general enquiries, gardening, assisting at meal times, distributing meals, making drinks and talking to patients and helping at fundraising events.

The trust’s Meals on Wheels service is supported by 20 volunteers who help to deliver fresh, home-cooked food to some of the most vulnerable and isolated people in the Barrow area.

The trust’s two hospital radio stations Bay Trust Radio and Radio Lonsdale are run entirely by volunteers.

Thanks to a donation from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service of 15 iPads, Bay Trust Radio volunteers have set up the iPads to allow patients to listen to the radio, access the latest news and keep in touch with friends and family during the pandemic.

During the pandemic, volunteers have also played their part in delivering food to staff working in Covif Red areas and those who need to self-isolate at home.

More than 2,000 packages per day have been distributed across the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay Trust’s three main hospital sites as part of the Salute the NHS campaign.

Sue Smith, the deputy chief executive and executive chief nurse for the Morecambe Bay health trust, said: “It is really important that we all celebrate our fantastic volunteers and showcase the work that they do to support the trust, our staff and services, our patients and people in out in our communities.”

Many volunteers at UHMBT have been asked to self-isolate but the trust says it is still keen to recruit as many people as possible to volunteer. You can find out more information at www.uhmb.nhs.uk/get-involved/volunteer-u

Barry Rigg, head of patient experience, said: “Volunteers play an essential role in the way we provide care. Volunteers bring a wealth of experience, time, and commitment to our hospital and community services, our volunteers make a unique contribution to patients, carers, and colleagues."