Star Awards: Our Winners

Volunteer of the Year

Picking up the Volunteer of the Year award for 2022 was Michael Reay. Most of those who work at City hospital will know Michael – since 2019, he’s been the friendly face at the front entrance to the hospital.

Michael told us, “My career path was in hotel management, and I worked in the industry for 25 years. In the year 2000, I saw some adverts to become a driving instructor, and decided to do a training programme.

“I qualified as an instructor in 2003, going on to work for Birmingham’s AA driving school for 16 years. Instructors have a badge that needs displaying, and when mine expired in September 2019, I decided not to renew it. Unfortunately, my partner Geraldine passed away in mid-September 2019 at the Queen Elizabeth hospital; during the time she spent there, I saw so many NHS staff doing a fantastic job and learnt about some of the processes.

“After she passed, of course it meant that my plans had changed. I wanted to do something with my time and decided to volunteer at a hospital.”

City is Michael’s local hospital, and he’d had appointments there before – so, it was a natural choice of location for him. After applying, he had an interview with Patricia Hunt, Volunteer Service Manager, and began by working as a wayfinder at the main entrance for two to three days a week in late 2019.

However, as we’re aware, it wasn’t long until the COVID-19 pandemic struck. In early 2020 many of our volunteers were unable to continue to work with SWB due to health conditions. Michael, not classed as vulnerable, was asked if he would be able to do five shifts a week. In his words, “I decided to step up and worked Monday to Friday, 12- 4pm. Without any visitation allowed, I found myself running bags of food, drink and gifts to patients across the hospital. I also worked closely with the PPE team, based at the front entrance.”

When restrictions were lifted, Michael continued to volunteer regularly, encountering some difficulties where family and friends were unable to visit their loved ones.

“Emotionally, it was quite tough at times and there were some disagreements when people were not allowed to visit. I found that my background in hotel management gave me the skills and confidence to deal with most of these issues.”

Michael was nominated for a Star Award in 2021, losing out to the Bereavement Support Team who enjoyed a “well deserved win”, he says. When he was nominated again in 2022, he didn’t expect to win, stating “I was absolutely stunned on the night. It was great that the efforts I had put in were recognised.”

Today, Michael can be found at the main entrance throughout the week, working as a lead volunteer. Michael urges anyone thinking of volunteering to give it a go. “I’d love to see more volunteers on board at City. I know staff spend lots of time directing people to places and so it would be great to have someone in the mornings and weekends to help out.”

When we asked if he planned to continue volunteering, he gave an emphatic ‘yes’.

“I enjoy doing the work, I enjoy meeting people, and the team at SWB are brilliant: everyone is so friendly and chatty. Just walking down the main spine today probably 10 people said hello to me. It means I’m part of the team.”

Michael Reay, Volunteer

From now until when we move into Midland Met, we will be sharing updates with you about the many people involved in the project and the role they each play.

The successful opening of Midland Metropolitan University Hospital relies on many people, teams and stakeholders. Once open, it will have a far reaching impact – not only on those we care for but also on colleagues and our community in terms of regeneration, jobs, housing, charitable endeavours and so much more.

Getting us to Midland Met is a team effort. We all have a part to play in making it #morethanahospital!

This month we meet Aaron BertramMiller, Nursing Associate Educator.