The Robins volunteers are the recipients of this year’s ‘Outstanding Voluntary Contribution Award’ for their work supporting patients across all Nnorth Wales hospitals.

They help ward staff in Wrexham Maelor Hospital, Glan Clwyd Hospital and Ysbyty Gwynedd by making time to sit and chat with patients, taking the tea trolley round or visiting the hospital shop if they are bed bound.

Robins volunteers also spend lots of time helping on the Children’s Wards in the hospitals talking to the children or allowing parents a short break so they can go and get something to eat.

The awards, sponsored by Centerprise International, celebrate the outstanding achievements of NHS staff from across North Wales.

Sue Marriott, Volunteers Manager said, “We are small team of volunteers, we probably have about 230 across north Wales in the three acute hospitals and in 16 community hospitals.

“We are really trying to raise the profile of the volunteers because we feel that they are valuable, it’s worthwhile and the feedback we get from clinical staff is that they always go that extra mile.

“When the staff see them coming in they are so grateful for the help. We work as a big team, nothing is too much trouble. The clinical staff wear blue and green but we wear red shirts because it’s a stop sign. It means stop here, whatever’s happening, we’ve got time for you.”

Robins volunteer, Bethan Jones said, “I love being a Robin, seeing the difference we can make to a patient’s stay in hospital and the smile you can put on their faces after you’ve visited them and made a cup of tea for them is brilliant.

“As a team we are delighted to win this Award and it’s great to have all the hard work recognised”.

Ifer Gwyn, Stakeholder Engagement Manager for Horizon who sponsored the Award said, “The Robins are well-known throughout North Wales for providing a friendly face to raise the spirits of patients in our hospitals.

“All three nominees were outstanding examples of volunteers making a huge contribution to healthcare in North Wales, and I was delighted to present the team with their award.”

“Jeremy Nash, Chief Executive of Centerprise International, said: “It’s fantastic to be the headline sponsor at the Health Board’s Achievement Awards for the second year running.

“Centerprise is committed to supporting the Welsh community and NHS in equal measure, and the awards were a fantastic celebration of the incredible efforts of healthcare staff from across North Wales.”