Bob the Dog was just one attendee at a party at the Royal United Hospitals Bath on Monday 3 June, which was held to celebrate the invaluable contribution of volunteers to the hospital.
The event kicked off National Volunteers’ Week 2024, during which charities and organisations such as RUHX thanked all those who give their time to help others. In 2023, around 250 people volunteered with the RUH, ranging from 16-year-olds participating in the NHS Cadets programme, up to people in their 80s. Together, they gave 21,000 hours of time – with 71 individuals helping for more than 100 hours each.
This includes our extraordinary RUHX volunteers, some of whom could join us at the party, and without whom we couldn’t run our events and fundraise to help the RUH do more.
Special guest, canine volunteer Bob, is one of the ‘Pets as Therapy’ (PAT) dogs who along with their volunteer owners, visit staff and patients throughout the hospital. Their presence is shown to help reduce anxiety,boost mental health and bring comfort to those missing their own furry friends.
Rhyannon Boyd, Head of RUHX, said: “Volunteers offer an incredible amount of support to RUHX and the RUH. The support and dedication from volunteers enable us to make our place healthier, happier, and stronger for the future, and help us support the extra extraordinary work that leads to exceptional care for everyone. A huge thank you to every single volunteer that has ever given their time, knowledge, or experience to RUHX, we could not do it without you.”