Provide Community is proud to celebrate Volunteers’ Week, Monday 1 to Sunday 7 June 2026, recognising the incredible contribution volunteers make to our services, patients and communities every day.
Volunteering forms an important part of Provide Community’s commitment to creating social value. Over the past two years, volunteers have contributed almost 7,800 hours of support across our services, helping to enhance patient experience, strengthen community connections and support colleagues across Essex.
Across our organisation, volunteers play a vital role in supporting patients, visitors, colleagues and local communities. From welcoming people to clinics and hospitals, to running our community tearoom, supporting fundraising initiatives and giving their time to local causes, their dedication helps make a real difference. Volunteers currently support our services at St Peter’s Hospital in Maldon, Braintree Community Hospital, Halstead Community Hospital, Speech and Language Therapy services and the Mid and South Essex Recovery College Partnership.
Sarah Wright, Volunteering Manager at Provide Community, said: “Volunteers bring kindness, experience, compassion and community connection to our services every day. Volunteers’ Week is an opportunity for us to recognise the difference they make and thank them for the time and support they continue to give.”
Mark Heasman, Group Chief Executive at Provide Community, added: “Volunteering reflects the very best of our values of care, compassion and innovation. Whether it is supporting patients and visitors in our hospitals, helping local charities, or colleagues giving their time to community causes, volunteers make a meaningful difference every day.
“As a Community Interest Company, creating social value is fundamental to who we are. Our volunteers strengthen community connections, enhance the experience of people using our services and help us extend our positive impact beyond healthcare. During Volunteers’ Week, we are proud to recognise and celebrate every volunteer who helps us transform lives across the communities we serve.”
Throughout Volunteers’ Week, we are highlighting some of the inspiring people and initiatives that demonstrate the positive impact volunteering has across Provide Community.
One volunteer being recognised this week is Bridget Couch, who recently celebrated an incredible milestone of nearly 10 years’ service volunteering with Provide Community. Bridget worked as a District Nurse at Halstead Community Hospital before retiring. A few years later, she returned to support the hospital as a volunteer receptionist in the physiotherapy clinic, often volunteering two or three times each week to welcome patients and their families. Over the past decade, Bridget has balanced volunteering with her other commitments while continuing to support the hospital and its League of Friends. Her dedication has helped ensure patients receive a warm welcome and valuable support during their visits.
At St Peter’s Hospital in Maldon, Provide Community Volunteers run the popular hospital tearoom, providing refreshments and a friendly face for patients, visitors and colleagues. Through their hard work, the team has also been able to donate tearoom profits to local charities chosen by them, including Action for Family Carers and the Maldon Pioneers Association. These donations demonstrate how volunteering can create a ripple effect, supporting community organisations and helping more people across Essex.
Volunteering at Provide Community extends beyond our dedicated service volunteers. Colleagues are also encouraged to make a difference through volunteering and receive two days of paid volunteering leave each year to support causes that matter to them. Recently, members of our Ethnic Minorities Network spent time volunteering with Sanctus in Chelmsford, helping to prepare food, organise donations and support the charity’s work with people experiencing homelessness and hardship.
We are always looking for people who would like to share their time, skills and experience. Current volunteer opportunities include supporting the tearoom at St Peter’s Hospital in Maldon, Welcome Volunteers who greet and signpost patients attending appointments across Essex including Braintree, Maldon and Chelmsford. Ward Visitor Volunteers supporting patients at Bayman Ward, Brentwood Community Hospital  (Community Stroke Rehabilitation Ward) and Halstead Ward, Halstead Community Hospital (Community Rehabilitation ward).  Volunteering is a rewarding way to meet new people, develop skills, support your local community and make a meaningful difference.
To find out more about volunteering opportunities with Provide Community, visit https://providecommunity.org.uk/join-us/volunteering/Â or email provide.volunteer@nhs.net.
This Volunteers’ Week, Provide Community extends its sincere thanks to every volunteer who supports our services and communities. Your kindness, commitment and generosity help transform lives every day, and we are proud to celebrate the difference you make.
