If you arrived at the RUH in summer you might have noticed the beautiful hanging baskets and tubs at the entrance drive. Perhaps you are sitting on one of the soft armchairs in the Atrium having wheeled a relative to their appointment in one of our wheelchairs, then you will have some idea of the kind of things that the Friends do for the comfort of patients and visitors to the hospital.

The League of Friends of the RUH is a charity that not only raises money for the good and benefit of patients and visitors but we are also a charity of people who help people. You will read later in this booklet of all the different ways we do help. There are 20 different categories of volunteers described in detail in “Volunteering Opportunities’.

There is more than 300 volunteer and 16 salaried staff who keeps the Friends going. A Board of Trustees administer the Charity and ensures it is financially secure and complies with all the rules and regulations of the Charity Commission. The majority of the trustees are also volunteers who give their time freely to fill both functions.

Money is raised by profits from the Coffee and Atrium Shops, by donations and legacies and of course through raffles and table top sales. Wards, clinics and department can then apply for our help through a requests system. For example we are currently considering funding for Bereavement Care, Dementia Care and Ante Natal Clinic.

Our volunteers come from many walks of life and have widely different reasons for volunteering. Many are retired but still feel they have something to offer. Young students who have aspirations to join the medical profession or who are completing their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award also do a wonderful job for us.

Whatever your experience, skills or motivation for wanting to become a volunteer you are sure to find it satisfied within the range of opportunities we have on offer.

If we have whet your appetite to join us or if you just want to find out more about us please do get in touch either by email, telephone or by visiting the Friends Office.