Today (Tuesday 30 July) North Bristol NHS Trust welcomed HRH the Duke of Gloucester to Southmead Hospital to meet the Move Makers who recently were given the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.
The popular Move Maker volunteers were initially recruited for a month to help patients and visitors find their way around Southmead Hospital’s new Brunel building, which is run by North Bristol NHS Trust, during the move into the new hospital in May 2014.
But the Move Makers – who were inspired by the Games Makers of the London 2012 Olympics – proved to be so popular with people coming into the new building it was decided to keep them on indefinitely.
The 150 volunteers, who are identified by their brightly-coloured T-shirts, greet patients and visitors as they come into the hospital, help them check-in for their appointments, answer queries, direct people around the building and arrange wheelchairs for people with mobility issues.
During the visit the Duke of Gloucester was taken on a tour of the hospital, met a number of the Move Makers and was treated to a performance by the Move Makers Choir.
The volunteers were then presented with a crystal vase and a plaque marking their achievement.
Jill Randall, Move Maker Manager, said: “It was an honour that the Duke of Gloucester came to visit the team.
“I’m so proud of everything we have achieved over the past five years and it was great that our commitment and enthusiasm was rewarded with the Queen’s Award.”
Andrea Young, North Bristol NHS Trust Chief Executive, said: “We are incredibly lucky to have a fantastic volunteer workforce at the Trust who support patients, their families and staff in lots of different ways –and sometimes just with a smile and friendly welcome.
“The Move Makers are a jewel in our crown and I thank them all for their hard work and dedication over the past five years.”
