Volunteer service celebrates record-breaking year and birthday of oldest volunteer who turns 90
Volunteers across Northampton and Kettering General Hospitals have donated a record-breaking 82,536 hours over 12 months – the equivalent of almost nine-and-a-half years of continuous volunteering.
The hours were accrued between April 2025 and March 2026, with volunteers supporting patients, visitors and staff in a wide range of roles across the hospitals. From supporting patients on arrival and in wards, to helping teams with non-clinical tasks, volunteers play a vital role across UHN.
Among those making a difference is Derek Warren, who celebrated his 90th birthday this week with his fellow volunteers at Northampton General Hospital.
Arriving for his usual volunteering shift on Monday 8 June, Derek was greeted with a homemade cake and a rousing chorus of Happy Birthday.
Derek, a former BT maintenance supervisor who retired in 1994, began volunteering at NGH in 2015 at the age of 79.
He said: “When my wife, Jean Dorothy, died, I needed a hobby and thought volunteering would be a nice thing to do. I really enjoy it because I meet lots of people and they’re good company.”
Born three years before the outbreak of the Second World War and 12 years before the NHS was created, Derek volunteers two afternoons a week at the hospital’s South Entrance, welcoming visitors and patients and helping them find their way around.
Emma Wimpress, Head of Volunteer Services, said: “We would like to wish Derek a very happy 90th birthday and thank him for his outstanding service and friendship over the years.
“Volunteers like Derek are at the heart of our hospitals. He has played such a valuable part in the remarkable work of our volunteers over the past 12 months. Together, they have given more hours than ever before, and we can’t thank them enough for the difference they make every day.”
The difference volunteers make across both hospitals was celebrated at a special awards evening at the Black Diamond in Northampton on Wednesday 3 June, which coincided with Volunteers’ Week.
During the event, awards were presented to the following volunteers for going above and beyond in their roles:
· Stuart Lake – KGH Staff Choice Award
· Yvonne Thompson – NGH Staff Choice Award
· Michael Leonard – NGH Volunteer Choice Award
· Bernie Taylor – KGH Volunteer Choice Award
· Sharon Nola – Head of Volunteer Services Award
Richard Mitchell, UHN Chief Executive, said: “It was a real privilege to spend time with our volunteers at this year’s celebration.
“Contributing a record 82,536 hours over the past year is an incredible achievement and reflects the generosity, compassion and community spirit they bring to UHN.
“We are immensely proud of everything they do and are sincerely grateful for the time they give so freely to support our patients, visitors and colleagues.”
A special thanks also go to the event sponsors Jarrolds and Northamptonshire Health Charity who made the awards evening possible.