'Volunteering has helped me gain confidence and skills'

While volunteering with us, Alla had two roles – first as a Meet and Greet Volunteer at Hammersmith Hospital, then as a Hospital Host Volunteer in the imaging department at Charing Cross Hospital.

A hairdresser by trade, Alla decided to volunteer with us because she liked working with people and wanted to do something to help others.

Many of our amazing hospital volunteers discover a real passion for healthcare. And some go on to begin exciting new careers in the NHS.

Inna recently completed 100 hours of volunteering with us - and her last shift in our A&E department at St Mary's Hospital. She's now putting her experience to good use as a Healthcare Support Worker at the Royal Free Hospital in north London.

"Since becoming a volunteer at A&E I've learnt how to help people - and my local community too," says Inna.

"I've really felt like part of a great team that cares for people when they're at their most vulnerable.

"I strongly believe that volunteering has helped me gain confidence and new skills.

"It's also offered me additional learning opportunities, which allowed me to grow and develop in my roleand beyond."

Emiliano started volunteering with us on one of the cardiology wards at Hammersmith Hospital after moving to London from Argentina in June 2022.

Having been a podiatrist and clinical reflexologist for 27 years, Emiliano wanted to volunteer in the health sector while taking English classes at the same time.

He says volunteering allowed him to get a job in the NHS - and helped him apply for a license to practice podiatry in the UK. He now works as Ward Host at the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and regularly uses the skills he gained as a volunteer.

"Volunteering is an enriching experience," says Emiliano. "It makes us feel better about ourselves.

"The group of volunteers at Imperial are fantastic. They're always giving their best and are willing to help."

Feeling inspired? Find out more about our latest volunteering opportunities at imperialcharity.org.uk/volunteer

She quickly realised she enjoyed being in a hospital setting as part of the team and so decided to apply for an apprenticeship to become a healthcare assistant at the Royal Free Hospital.

She got the job, started in March this year and was first allocated to work in the surgical theatres. Alla is now working in hand trauma, ophthalmology and gynaecology. She says she’s enjoying every minute.

“Every day is different, and I feel like part of the team, which is really, really important. We’re like a family,” says Alla. "Volunteering gave me the opportunity to totally change my career. I'm really thankful and I would recommend it to anyone."

Television presenter and radio broadcaster Nicki Chapman joined former patients and NHS staff at Charing Cross Hospital to open our beautiful new Sanctuary Garden - a quiet, calm and peaceful space for friends, family and visitors who have suffered a bereavement.

The garden will provide a tranquil outdoor space for anyone experiencing the grief and sadness of losing a loved one.

Hard-working hospital staff will also be able to use the garden to take a quiet moment away from the wards and switch off from the pressures of work.

Nicki, who received treatment herself for a brain tumour at Charing Cross in 2019, visited the garden and planted a white Deutzia gracilis (Japanese Snow Flower) to mark the official opening.

"I will forever be indebted to the incredible team - in particular my surgeon, Mr David Peterson - who looked after me throughout an extremely challenging time," she said.

"I'm delighted to return to the hospital to open this beautiful new garden, which I'm sure will be of huge benefit to many more families in the future."

The Sanctuary Garden was designed by Dario Pizzi Design, with additional support from Gardencraft and Allgreen.

It has transformed a previously neglected outdoor area, and will become a peaceful and reflective space for family members and friends to grieve privately following the loss of a loved one.

"Working with Imperial Health Charity gives us the chance to unlock opportunities to provide even better care that would not otherwise be possible," said Dr Bob Klaber OBE, Director of Strategy, Research and Innovation at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust.