THE dedication of volunteers at Redditch's Alexandra Hospital was celebrated recently at an afternoon tea hosted by chairman of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, Harry Turner.

There are more than 200 volunteers at the Alex, working in the coffee shop, on the wards, as chaplains and in other roles. Mr Turner used the afternoon tea as an opportunity to personally thank the volunteers for their work.

He said: “From manning the hospital shop, to patient transport, wayfinders, ward duties, newspaper and confectionery rounds, volunteers provide an invaluable service.

"We couldn’t do it without you, and we appreciate all that you do for us. Thank you.”

Mayor of Redditch Patti Hill also attended the event, adding: “I’m here as a volunteer myself - I work on the Macmillan information stand.

"If it wasn’t for you, we wouldn’t get it all done. So thank you. This is our hospital, our time, and let’s all carry on.”

A number of volunteers belong to the hospital’s League of Friends, and the Alex has recently teamed up with Age UK to recruit ‘dignity champions’ - volunteers who help out on hospital wards.

Dignity champions run errands for patients, like picking up a newspaper from the hospital shop or simply keeping someone company.

Peter Harris from Redditch has recently volunteered as a dignity champion and will start helping patients and staff on hospitals wards in the next few weeks.

Mr Harris said: "I’m retired and I wanted to spend some time doing something useful and giving back to the community.

"Staying in hospital can be lonely and being a dignity champion is basically like being a friend to patients, helping them out and cheering them up."

All hospital volunteers are DBS checked and receive training and an induction from the hospital.

The Alexandra Hospital is currently looking for dignity champions and wayfinder volunteers. Anyone interested can contact Rani Virk on 01905 760783.