Tina Sheridan, volunteer on the Oasis Unit recognised in Volunteer Star Awards

Some of the Rochdale volunteers which work at hospitals and community services

To celebrate national Volunteers Week (1 to 7 June) the Northern Care Alliance NHS Group (NCA) awarded special Volunteer Star awards to its star volunteers at hospitals in Oldham, Bury, Rochdale and North Manchester.

Tina Sheridan, 55, who has been volunteering on the Oasis Unit (dementia) at Rochdale Infirmary since January 2019 has been awarded a special Volunteer Star award.

The winners of the NCA’s first ever Volunteer Stars awards also include:

• Mary Bowler, 71, volunteers on Main Reception at Fairfield General Hospital. Mary started volunteering in May 2012.
• Allen Stearns, 67, Royal Rover shuttle bus driver and driver assistant at The Royal Oldham Hospital. Allen started volunteering in January 2019.
• Deborah Bodner, 61, volunteers at Crumpsall Vale Intermediate Care Unit at North Manchester General Hospital (prior to this Deborah worked on the X-ray dept). Deborah started volunteering in July 2010.

Special events were set up at the NCA’s Oldham, Bury & Rochdale and North Manchester Care Organisations to celebrate the enormous unpaid contribution volunteers make at hospitals and community services each year.

Over 500 volunteers were treated to a hot and cold buffet, and the winners of the awards were announced and celebrated by managers, fellow volunteers and staff alike.

The NCA decided to introduce the Volunteer Star awards this year to recognise the hard work and commitment of volunteers. Going forward, each month one volunteer from across the NCA will be chosen to win the award.

Nicky Goulding, volunteer support manager at the Northern Care Alliance NHS Group said: “I would like to congratulate each and every one of the award winners from the bottom of my heart. They all work tirelessly and the difference they make is fantastic. I hope that by introducing these awards we go some way towards giving our volunteers the recognition they deserve for all the tremendous hard work they put in.”

The NCA brings together the Salford Royal and Pennine Acute Hospitals trusts, operates five hospitals and community services, and employs over 17,000 staff.

Volunteers' Week is a chance to celebrate and say thank you for the fantastic contribution millions of volunteers make across the UK.

It takes place 1-7 June every year and is an opportunity to celebrate volunteering in all its diversity.