North Cumbria's NHS hospitals trust has thanked more than 200 volunteers for the vital support they have provided during the pandemic.

As part of National Volunteers Week, which kicks off today, the North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust (or NCIC) is thanking the hundreds of volunteers who have stepped up to support it in a variety of different ways.

Those that help the Trust in their spare time work in chaplaincy, on the hospital radio, in meeting and greeting patients and on the wards, and a further 82 volunteers were recruited to support the trust throughout the Covid-19 outbreak.

Joseph Dean, a volunteer at the West Cumberland Hospital, said: “Part of my role is to take messages of hope from patients' loved ones to the wards. Over a very short period of time my role became very busy as members of the public started donating all kinds of goods to the hospital.

“It’s been an honour and privilege to work with a hard working team of people under extraordinary circumstances.

“I’m very proud to volunteer at the West Cumberland Hospital.”

Volunteers Week is an annual celebration of the contributions of millions of people supporting their communities nationwide.

NCIC had 174 volunteers working across north and west Cumbria before the pandemic struck, but another 82 volunteered their time once Covid-19 arrived.

Claire Unwin, volunteer and charity development officer at NCIC, said: “We would like to use this opportunity to say a BIG thank you to all our wonderful volunteers.

“Volunteers at NCIC play an important role in improving the overall experience our patients receive, whether they’re providing support at events, helping out with administrative duties or providing a meet-and-greet service.

“We really appreciate all the contributions they all make by donating their time and skills to help us.”

Volunteers for the Trust speak of the pride it gives them to provide a little bit of help within their community. But, they are also keen to shout about how it can improve your everyday life by giving you the encouragement and confidence.

Shelley Shaw Daly, who volunteers at the Cumberland Infirmary, said: “My partner, who works for NCIC, suggested I might benefit from volunteering to build up my confidence and meet different people.

“People talk about mental health a lot just now and volunteering has kept me ‘sane’. I would recommend it to anyone who has the time to give something back, whether it be a face-to-face role, where just a smile can be enough to support someone else, or an office job which you know will support staff to do their job even better than they do already. Win/win.”

The Trust is not currently looking for any more volunteers but people who would like to offer some of their time are encouraged to register their interest online.