CHIEF executive Chris Povah attended his first volunteers' evening at Macclesfield Hospital - saying he had never seen anything like it during his NHS career.
He and chairman Kathy Cowell paid tribute to the nearly 350 volunteers at Macclesfield, Knutsford and Congleton, who do so much work for East Cheshire NHS Trust.
Three special volunteers received presentations at the party.
Alan Street, a member of the Welcomers team, has devised a list of locations at Macclesfield Hospital, brought constantly up to date in this time of major changes. It is referred to by colleagues as 'The Alan Street Location Map' and is used equally by them and visitors.
Jean Swann, a member of the Blind Society, regularly mans the help desk at the weekly outpatient opthalmic clinic. Jean works out rotas and organises awareness and training sessions for her colleagues, and ensures a smooth welcome for patients.
Benita Juskiewicz, a 16-year-old pupil at Tytherington High School, is a volunteer ward helper.
She has been working in orthopaedics after school, and during the summer holidays did an extra Monday duty.
Recently she has been helping complete menus on the medical wards.
Many directors and senior managers from the Trust joined the chairman in welcoming individual volunteers.
Music was provided by Silk FM's Pete Egerton, himself a former volunteer and a 'graduate' from the hospital radio service.
