St Andrew’s volunteers donate almost 20,000 hours to support patients in Northampton

The milestone was celebrated at a Summer Garden Party in the charity’s Secret Garden in Northampton, where volunteers were treated to afternoon tea in recognition of their contribution.

According to the charity, volunteers play a key role in supporting the wellbeing and recovery of patients receiving treatment for complex mental health conditions. Many act as befrienders, providing companionship to patients who may not receive regular visits from family or friends, while others assist with events and support the chaplaincy team.

Dawn Wright, voluntary services manager, described the achievement as “remarkable”.

She said: “Our volunteers have played a vital role in supporting patients, services and the wider charity, giving their time, compassion and commitment across a range of roles.

“Quite simply, our volunteers are amazing people. They bring warmth, humanity and support to those who need it most.”

Several volunteers were recognised for their contributions during the past year. Roger Brewer, 80, was the highest individual contributor with 550 hours of service, followed by Mark Carrigan with 430 hours and Margaret Ryan with 320 hours.

A special tribute was also paid to Pat Harte, who celebrated 30 years of volunteering. A Pets as Therapy dog assessor and volunteer, she has supported patients through ward visits and events for three decades.

The charity also presented its 2026 Anne Ford Volunteering Award, named after a volunteer who completed 50 years of service. For the first time, the award was shared by two winners.

Mark Carrigan was recognised for taking on five volunteer roles within a year, while Vim McMillan was honoured for contributing more than 1,000 hours since joining shortly before the Covid-19 pandemic.

St Andrew’s Healthcare is continuing to expand its volunteering programmes and is encouraging anyone interested in getting involved to find out more about available opportunities on their website.