New figures released during National Volunteers Week reveal that over 70,000 people have volunteered with the NHS in the past year, contributing more than 6.4 million hours of their time to support patients, staff, and services across the country.
From teenagers to octogenarians, volunteers have played a vital role in the NHS—guiding visitors, delivering medication, supporting admin tasks, and even playing games with patients to lift spirits.
According to NHS England, 71,828 people volunteered in NHS trusts last year. Regional breakdowns show:
- London led with 14,072 volunteers
- Followed by the Midlands with 13,685
- And North East and Yorkshire with 10,026
Volunteers typically give two weeks of their time per year, making a meaningful difference in both clinical and non-clinical settings.
In West Hertfordshire, Maja Jeffree (17) and Alan Stevens (87) exemplified the spirit of NHS volunteering. From distributing books and delivering newspapers to playing board games with patients, their contributions bring comfort and connection to those in care.
Alan, who began volunteering after the loss of his wife Sheila, has now donated over 1,000 hours of his time over the past decade.
Duncan Barton, Chief Nursing Officer for England, commented:
“This Volunteers’ Week, we want to say a huge thank you to every one of our 70,000 volunteers who make such a valuable contribution to the NHS and its patients.
“There are so many different volunteering roles that people can take part in whether they’re old or young which can help you learn new skills, meet people, and even give you a taste of what it would be like to join our fantastic workforce.
“If you are interested in volunteering in the NHS, you can find out more information by visiting the NHS volunteering website and hear about opportunities near you.”
The NHS continues to rely on the generosity of its volunteers, whose efforts help reduce pressure on frontline staff and improve the patient experience. As the NHS celebrates National Volunteers Week, it is calling on more people to consider giving their time to support their local health services.
Image credit: iStock
